Identity theft is a common crime that occurs when someone uses personal information without permission. For extra protection against identity thieves, Farmers & Merchants Bank will host a Shred Day event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Lake Oconee branch in Harmony Crossing.  

The community is invited to bring their financial and personal documents that are no longer needed to have them disposed of in a large shredder.

This year, Farmers & Merchants Bank has a new shredding service that has been added to the Shred Day event for an added level of security.

“New this year we will be able to shred the data on all computer hard drives and take donations on old computers that are no longer needed,” said Marketing Director for Farmers & Merchants Bank Lindsey Rickman.

A representative from Techno Guru will be on hand to delete the data and personal information on old computer hard drives. The bank will also offer to arrange donations of computers that are no longer wanted or needed to local nonprofit organizations.

According to Rickman, previous Shred Day activities were so popular that bank officials had to bring it back to Lake Oconee.   

“We received such a positive response from last year’s Shred Day that we wanted to offer it again to the community,” said Rickman.

Customers can bring up to two boxes of material for shredding.

For more information on how Farmers & Merchants Bank can assist in protecting your identity or its annual Shred Day call 706-485-9941.