LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Savings Bank and Integrity Shred have teamed up to help prevent identity theft by offering the public an opportunity to shred outdated confidential documents.

Bring up to three 35-pound boxes of documents for safe, secure on-site shredding.

Additionally, to help shred hunger, nonperishable food will be accepted at the events for local food banks.

The shred event will take place in Lakeport from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Savings Bank branch, 290 S. Main St.

Hours and number of customers accommodated may be limited to truck capacity.

Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, reputation, and can take time, money and patience to resolve.

Shredding confidential financial documents and paperwork is one way to deter criminals from stealing personal information.

Savings Bank also encourages customers to protect their identity by switching from paper account statements to eStatements.

With eStatements, customers reduce the risk of confidential account information getting into the wrong hands through tampering of mail or paper records that are stored at home.

Savings Bank representatives will be available at the shred events to supply information about preventing identity theft and what to do if your identity is stolen.