New Yorkers Slash Identity Theft at 'Shred Fest' Sunday Updated May 23, 2011 6:40am

Dozens of people lined up to shred personal documents Sunday at the Union Square "Shred Fest" sponsored by the city's Department of Consumer Affairs. (DNAinfo/Gabriela Resto-Montero)

By Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

UNION SQUARE — A giant paper jam backed up the line of residents waiting to shred their personal documents as part of the city-sponsored "Shred Fest" event Sunday.

Officials with the Department of Consumer Affairs brought in a giant shredder from Cintas to Union Square to dispose of documents with residents' personal information free of charge.

But an errant piece of cardboard snarled the machine shortly after 11 a.m. backing up the line until just after noon, when a new truck from Code Shred was brought in.

Despite the long wait, neighbors stuck around to properly dispose of ther documents.

"I have a shredder at home but when the stuff piles up this is a good thing," said Jay Chakrapani, 39, a Chelsea resident who waited 45 minutes to shred one trash bag's worth of documents.

The DCA stationed other giant shredders at Columbus Circle and St. Nicholas Park between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.

The first giant shredder brought by the city to shred documents was snarled by a piece of cardboard causing a 45-minute wait until a new truck was brought in. (DNAinfo/Gabriela Resto-Montero)

As a way to prevent identity theft, officals encouraged residents to shred pay stubs from the previous tax year, year-old bank statements, credit card applications and any documents with social security numbers, signatures, private contact information or personal pin numbers.

Abby Lootens, a spokeswoman with the department, said last year they recycled 40.02 tons of paper with five fewer locations — so they hope for an even bigger haul this year.

Grace Mayer, 60, of Gramercy Park, said she'd been looking for a way to get rid of her documents for some time and was surprised that she couldn't find a place to shred papers containing sensitive information.

"This is very helpful, they should do it twice a year," Mayer said of the Shred Fest.

For information on how to cope with identity theft, the DCA offered resources on their website.