Shred Your Documents Saturday to Protect from Identity Theft

North County residents interested in protecting themselves from identity theft can take part in 's free Shred Day 9 a.m. to 12p.m. Saturday at its Oceanside branch 625 College Blvd.

Attendees can bring up to two boxes ­—  each being about one-foot cubed —  of private and sensitive information.

The credit union started the free service in 2007, it has shred and recycled more than 305,000 pounds of confidential, sensitive documents which, according to a press release from the company, has saved some 2,790 trees.

“We are proud to be able to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft,” said Teresa Halleck, president and CEO of San Diego County Credit Union. “The first rule in preventing identity theft is: if you don’t need it, shred it, and we are here to make that happen.”

Using online banking services reduces the risk of identity theft, she added.

The Oceanside branch is the credit union’s newest and its 28th branch in Southern California, is located near Wal-Mart in the Towne Center North retail center at College Boulevard and Mission Avenue.