The BIG Shred Event Oct. 28 To Help HoCo Residents Destroy Documents

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents who have important documents that need safely and securely disposed of can take advantage of a special event planned for Oct. 28.

The BIG Shred will have three shredding locations and run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the trucks are full. Those locations are:

• Long Gate Park & Ride, located off MD 100 Exit 1A in Ellicott City
• The overflow parking lot at Elkridge Landing Middle School, 7085 Montgomery Rd., in Elkridge
• North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel

Howard County residents can take up to three bags or boxes of paper to be shredded onsite. Residents are asked to only bring documents to shred that contain personal information, such as account numbers, passwords, PINs, signatures, Social Security numbers and date of birth. This includes federal and state tax documents, credit card and other household bills, medical records, pay stubs, mortgage documents and insurance bills.

"In 2022 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft. As cases of identity theft and fraud continue to rise each year, it is imperative we do our part to ensure our residents have a way to protect themselves and their family’s information. Our yearly shredding events help to do just that," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.