Spring into shredding season

Spring is the season for cleaning and shredding. All winter long, consumers have been writing me to ask me to point them toward a free shredding event in their 'hood. But the cold weather puts a temporary freeze on such identity theft-crushing festivities since no one likes to stand outside next to a shred truck when it's snowing.

So far, I know of four shred events in 2011 and I'm sure I'll hear of others.

Find shred events on our map.

SPOKANE -- Friday, March 11, 7 - 11 a.m.
Metro Post Office parking lot, 5511 E. Alki off of Fancher. Organized by the Spokane Post Office in partnership with government agencies in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week.  Shredding provided by United Data Security.

BELLINGHAM -- Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Dewey Griffin Buick GMC Subaru, 1800 Iowa St. Organized by the Better Business Bureau. Shredding provided by A-1 Shredding. Bring up to three bags or boxes of documents, no cardboard or three-ring binders. Additionally, you may bring unwanted cell phones to be recycled; the Wireless Alliance will wipe data. Info: http://www.akorww.bbb.org/secure-your-id

FEDERAL WAY: Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Woodstone Credit Union, 1825 S. 316th St. Shredding provided by Confidential Data Disposal. Bring up to one large box of documents. Info: Web site.

RENTON -- Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m. - noon
Renton Sam's Club parking lot, 901 S. Grady Way. Sponsored by the Renton Police Department. Shredding provided on site by Iron Mountain. Canned food donations will be collected for the Renton Food Bank. Bring up to five boxes (up to 12" x 15" x 10") full of documents or the amount of paper that would fit in a box that size. Remove paper clips. Sorry, plastic items such as credit cards and CDs can't be accepted.

The Attorney General's Office isn't organizing any shred events at this time -- but plenty of businesses are -- and we'll continue to post them on our Web site at www.atg.wa.gov/shredathon.aspx. If you know of one I've missed, write me. (But please DON'T call or write to ask why there are no events in your town or when one will be scheduled. I can't predict these things. If I hear of one, it will be added to our list and our agency calendar.)