Residents who have been holding on to old bank statements, tax papers, and medical bills will get a free chance to destroy them safely this month. AARP Mississippi is holding a free Southaven shred event on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon at Planters Bank, 6463 Getwell Road, in partnership with the Southaven Chamber of Commerce.
The event is open to the public. Organizers say it is part of AARP’s wider effort to help people guard against identity theft and fraud, and it includes on-site information about common scams.
Southaven Shred Event Details
What: Free community document shredding
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., or until the shred truck is full
Where: Planters Bank, 6463 Getwell Road, Southaven, MS 38672
Limit: Two bags or boxes per person
Cost: Free
According to the event flyer, the shredding can close before noon if the truck is full, so people with a lot of paperwork may want to arrive early. AARP is also asking attendees to register online at events.aarp.org/desotoshred.
What to Bring and Why It Matters
The event is meant for papers that contain personal and financial information. Old bank and credit card statements, pay stubs, canceled checks, insurance forms, and outdated medical records often include account numbers, birth dates, or Social Security numbers that identity thieves look for in household trash.
Commercial shredding lets residents watch sensitive records get destroyed instead of putting them in a curbside bin. Because of the two-bag or two-box limit, it’s worth sorting papers ahead of time and bringing the most sensitive documents first.
Fraud Watch Tips on Site
Along with shredding, AARP Mississippi will share Fraud Watch Network tips and resources to help residents spot scams, protect their identities, and “stay one step ahead of fraudsters,” the Chamber’s event listing says. Phone, text, and email scams aimed at older adults are still a major problem nationwide, and the materials are meant for people of all ages.
For more information, call the Southaven Chamber of Commerce at 662-342-6114 or email info@southavenchamber.com.
More Fall Events in DeSoto County
The shred day falls during a busy stretch for county residents. DeSoto County’s fall cleanup runs Oct. 10 to 18, which gives households another way to clear out bulky items the same week. See our DeSoto County fall cleanup guide for details, and our story on free drive-thru flu shots at Baptist DeSoto on Oct. 8.
