BILLINGS -- As technology advances and rises, so does fraud.
A group of credit unions participate in an annual event that fights that, while raising money for a local cause.
"This is the eighth annual Credit Union Shred Event. This event is sponsored by the local area credit unions, contracted through Montana Mobile Document Shredding. Whoever is leaving their materials knows that they've been securely stored in the bins, and shredded," Billings Federal Credit Union Vice Nancy Harris said.
"You don't actually have to keep documents as far as banking is concerned goes over seven years, so instead of letting that stuff pile up and take over your life, shred all of those things that you don't want other people to see. Keep your identity safe, Wise Wonders Manager Jenette Rash said.
The shredding is free, but any donations go directly to a charity.
This year's event benefited Wise Wonders.
"We were Wise Wonders Children's Museum, and we are beginning that transition to Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Center, serving not just all of our beautiful little children that we have been serving up until now, but hopefully their big brothers, their sisters, their moms, their dads. We want everyone of all ages to come in and learn some things, play with some things and have a really great time," Rash said.
They're hoping to include some more immersive learning resources for people of all ages.
"We have so many amazing resources here in Billings. You know, we work all the time alongside the zoo and the Moss Mansion, and all of these organizations and we're all contributing together and the economy and this growing place," Rash said.
Another partnership is the communication loop between law enforcement, banks, and credit unions to help combat fraud.
"We just want the community to know that we're partnering with our community to have fun and have their backs," Harris said.
The shred-a-thon is an annual event.
