Officials are calling Saturday first-ever Shred Day a "great success."

The event drew more than 200 residents to the Scotland High School parking lot to take advantage of on-site document destruction.

"More than 6,000 pounds of paper was collected by the Shred-It truck," said Sharon English, an agent with Cooperative Extension office in Laurinburg. "I talked to the representative from Shred-It and the representative said the event on Saturday was a great, great, success."

Cooperative Extension along with the Scotland County Energy Corporation of America sponsored the event and brought in the Mobile Paper Shredding and Recycling truck.

he service was offered free for individuals and lasted for about 4 hours.

The limit was four bags/boxes or 100 pounds per person.

For Diann Beane a resident of Laurinburg, the event was a good idea for Scotland County to do.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to get rid of your private information," Beane said.

Coy Horne of Laurinburg agreed.

"It's a great service for Scotland County to bring in," he said.

English said that a number residents want the Cooperative Extension and ECA to provide the Shred-It truck more than once a year.

Beane said, she would like the event to happen at least twice annually.

Judy McKoy a volunteer at the Shred day agreed.

"It's nice to get rid of your stuff and it's environmental friendly," she said.

The event drew in about 25 volunteers from from the Cooperative Extension office, ECA, Scotland High School students, and residents from the community.

"It was a positive response from the people in Scotland County," ECA president Ida Stewart said.

The Attorney General office had a representative on site as well to talk to people about identity theft.

The FBI estimates that between 500,000 and 700,000 people fall victim annually to identity theft. The consequences of identity theft can be astonishing. Victims can spend countless hours closing accounts, opening new ones and correcting credit records.

In a statement the Attorney General gave a few tips on how to stay away from identity theft.

• Don't share private information with telemarketers or respond to phishing emails.

• Watch your mail. Call 1 (888) 5-OPT-OUT to stop pre-approved credit card applications. Shred incoming mail you don't plan to keep.

• Check your credit. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

• Keep your Social Security Number secure. Memorize your number and leave your card in a safe place at home rather than in your wallet or perse.

• Check your checks. Remove private information such as driver's license numbers.

For information about the Shred-It event contact Sharon English at Scotland County Cooperative Extension at (910) 277-2422.