If you’ve got personal information you don’t need anymore, you can destroy those old financial statements and other documents for free at “Shred Day” in Edwardsville.

The event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Schnuck’s supermarket at 2222 Troy Road, is sponsored by the Better Business Bureau of St. Louis, the Illinois Attorney General’s office, the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Hazelwood-based Shred-It, a Securit company, is donating its services.

You do not have to be an Illinois resident to participate. The BBB says up to three boxes of documents will be shredded for free, and information on identity theft protection also will be available. Here’s more from the watchdog group’s web site:

“Identity fraud cost consumers and businesses $48 billion last year,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Protecting yourself is a must.”

Nearly 10 billion consumers were victimized by scammers and identity thieves last year. Officials recommend shredding any documents that contain financial information, account numbers, PINs, birth dates, or Social Security numbers. Examples include expired ID cards, legal documents, credit card and bank statements, canceled checks and carbon copies.

For more information about the event, contact the BBB at 314-645-3300 or www.bbb.org.