HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Hillsborough County is taking a direct swing at identity theft this tax season by bringing back its annual ShredFest for a tenth consecutive year. The event, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, offers residents a free way to dispose of sensitive paperwork and old electronics that might otherwise become a goldmine for criminals.
Organized by the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement’s Consumer Services Team, the event will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 3602 N. U.S. Hwy. 301 in Tampa. The timing coincides with the final day of National Consumer Protection Week.
The service is designed as a drive-thru, allowing attendees to stay in their vehicles while professionals handle the disposal.
However, there are specific limits and rules for those planning to drop off materials. Document shredding is restricted to three copy-paper-sized boxes or kitchen-sized bags per vehicle. Before arriving, residents must ensure that all batteries, electronic cords, three-ring binders, and general trash are removed from their paper piles.
While the IRS provides specific guidelines on how long to retain official tax records, county officials suggest residents also look for other vulnerable documents to shred. This includes old bank statements, expired insurance policies, medical records, travel boarding passes, and even junk mail or sticky notes that contain passwords and personal addresses.
Beyond paper, the 2026 event includes “e-shredding” for digital security. This process, known as information technology asset disposition (ITAD), ensures that devices like old cellphones, laptops, tablets, and hard drives are destroyed by certified recyclers rather than just thrown in the trash where data could be recovered.
Experts on consumer protection will be available on-site to answer questions throughout the morning. The county has clarified that these services are strictly for residents on a first-come, first-served basis; no commercial or business shredding is allowed. While the event takes place, Veterans Memorial Park and its monuments will remain open to the public.
Residents looking for more details can call (813) 274-6600 or visit the county’s website at HCFL.Gov/ShredFest.
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