AARP Co-Hosts Free Document Shredding Event April 11 in Bristol

AARP Pennsylvania will host a free document-shredding event, which aims to reduce the risk of identity theft for Bucks County residents.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), AARP Fraud Watch Network, the United Way of Bucks County HELP Center and the Bucks-Mont Collaborative have partnered to put on the free document shredding event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 11.

The event will be held at the United Way of Bucks County HELP Center in Bristol located at 194 Commerce Circle.

In 2025, an estimated 141.5 million adults have been targeted by fraud scams by either losing money or having sensitive private information used for fraudulent purposes, an AARP report said.

According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) testimony to the Joint Economic Committee, the FTC had received 3 million reports of fraud last year with an estimated $15.9 billion in financial losses.

“The AARP Fraud Watch Network empowers people to protect themselves and their loved ones from scams and identity theft,” said Yocasta Lora, AARP Pennsylvania associate state director of advocacy and community engagement.

Improperly discarded or thrown away documents ripe for identity thieves include old bank statements, medical records, tax documents, credit card offers and any other papers that contain sensitive personal information.

“This event offers Bucks County residents a safe, convenient way to dispose of sensitive documents and take a meaningful step toward safeguarding their personal information,” Lora said.

The event is designed to help Bucks County residents safely dispose of sensitive documents and reduce their risk of identity theft and fraud. There is a limit of three bags or boxes per participant; no need to remove staples or paper clips; credit cards are accepted for shredding, according to the Bucks-Mont Collaborative.

If you go:

What: Free community document-shredding event open to Bucks County residents.

Where: United Way of Bucks County HELP Center, 194 Commerce Circle, Bristol, 19007

When: Saturday, April 11, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

While residents are encouraged to reserve a spot for the shredding event here, walk-ins are also welcome.

The AARP Fraud Helpline is open to anyone reporting a scam or seeking help from a trained specialist. Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network or call (877) 908-3360.