Senator Kevin Parker Hosts Annual Shred Day Event

Jaukia McConeyhead

May 4, 2023

 

Drenching rain this weekend could not stop community residents from coming out to rid themselves of unwanted documents at State Senator Kevin Parker’s Annual Shred Day event on Saturday, April 29, at the Georgetowne Shopping Center in Georgetown, Brooklyn. With one of their mantras being “Fight Fraud, Shred It!”, AARP partnered with Senator Parker, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Communications Committee, to ensure community residents protect themselves from identity theft while protecting the planet. Each attendee was allowed to bring sensitive paper documents to the Georgetowne Center parking lot, where they were met with on-site recycling trucks provided by AARP.

“The importance of document shredding cannot be emphasized enough. By shredding sensitive papers, you ensure that your personal information is completely destroyed and cannot be pieced back together by scammers,” said Senator Parker. “Besides protecting yourself, document shredding is environmentally friendly, saves storage space, and decreases fire hazards. I appreciate the partnership with AARP because our seniors are consistently targeted by criminals seeking to commit fraud.” Senator Parker concluded, “I am happy that so many community members came out, even in the pouring rain, to take advantage of this vital service I was able to provide with the support of AARP New York.”

According to a recent report sponsored by AARP, identity fraud is a rapidly growing problem that costs roughly 40 million Americans a combined $43 billion annually in 2022. In New York State alone, identity fraud surged in 2020, with over 67,000 complaints statewide, a four-fold increase from 2010, according to the Federal Trade Commission data. In response, AARP New York urges New Yorkers to “Fight Fraud, Shred It!” as they host free shred events across the state.

                                                       About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprising sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, and Bergen Beach. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and sits on the Senate Finance; Rules; Banks; Internet and Technology; Rules; and Budget and Revenue. Learn more at https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker.

                                                                             About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families — with a focus on health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. Learn more at https://www.aarp.org/.

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