Now that tax deadline has passed, and you are looking to safely destroy some old files or personal documents, Data Destruction Day is coming fast.
    Data Destruction Day is Saturday during the Main Street Farmers Market at Sea Island Bank's parking lot in downtown Statesboro. The public is invited to bring any documents that require shredding between 9 a.m. and noon. ShredEX, a professional company that specializes in the disposal of sensitive materials, will be on site to shred paper items free of charge.
    Sponsored by Sea Island Bank in conjunction with Keep Bulloch Beautiful, Main Street Farmers Market and ShredEX, the event takes aim at stopping identity theft, the fastest-growing crime in America. According to the Better Business Bureau, 6 percent of the American adult population has been affected by identity theft including 9 million people who have experienced "stolen identities."
    "People whose identities have been stolen can face months or even years trying to straighten out the mess,” said Kim Brannen, a vice president of Sea Island Bank and manager of the bank's Private Client Group.
    "The Information Age has raised new challenges and opportunities for ensuring effective privacy protections,” she said. “Data Destruction Day provides secure and free disposal of sensitive materials. We're appreciative to ShredEX for helping us bring this valuable service to Statesboro."
    ShredEX, a professional shredding company, will accept paper items with staples and paper clips, but not binders. Small businesses with one or two boxes to shred are welcome, however, more significant amounts cannot be accepted on Saturday.
    With the recent success and large crowds attending the Farmers Market on Saturdays, officials are expecting a large turnout.