Free Document Shredding for Somerset County Residents
Next Shredding Event – Jan. 19

“Operation Secure Shred” – the free document-shredding program for Somerset County residents – continues Saturday, Jan. 19 at the North County Public Works Garage, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater.

The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the county's Public Works Department invite residents to take advantage of the drop-off program for easy, no-hassle shredding of personal documents.

"Properly disposing of personal documents is a necessary step in safeguarding and protecting your personal information and credit and preventing identify theft," said Freeholder Brian G. Gallagher, public works liaison. "We are pleased to be able to provide this very popular service to our residents in collaboration with our municipalities.”
The county-sponsored shredding events are held rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the trucks are filled to capacity, at which time they leave and the event is over for that day. Proof of residency is required (current driver's license, valid lease, tax bill or any other bill with a Somerset County address). Pre-registration is not required. No businesses and no commercial vehicles allowed.

Additional shredding opportunities for 2019 will be announced in early spring.

Residents from all 21 Somerset County municipalities are invited to have personal documents shredded at as many free, on-site mobile paper-shredding events as they wish to attend. Residents do not have to reside in the town hosting an event to participate.

Documents will be commercially shredded safely, privately and properly by trained, licensed and bonded document-destruction specialists. Staples and paperclips do not have to be removed. Residents may bring documents in up to six boxes, containers or bags per visit and will be asked to take back their receptacles. Residents may stay and watch as their documents are shredded.

Junk mail, magazines and newspapers will not be accepted. This shredding opportunity is not open to businesses.

For more information about locations of the municipal shredding events, contact the towns directly. A listing of towns in Somerset County can be found on the county's website at www.co.somerset.nj.us/towns

For more information about the Operation Secure Shred program, contact the Somerset County Public Works Department at 908-203-6018 or publicworks@co.somerset.nj.us or visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/shredding

If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission provides a comprehensive booklet titled, "Taking Charge: What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen," at http://bit.ly/IDTheftTakeControl

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