The annual Secure Your ID event, hosted by the Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific, was held at Access Information Management in Aiea and Wailuku on Saturday.

In Aiea, there were many stacks of shredded documents, each weighing 4,000 pounds. The shredded blocks are then shipped to the Mainland and recycled.

According to research provider Javelin, identity fraud hit an all-time high last year, affecting 16.7 million Americans.

Although Hawaii ranks low, 42nd in the country, the fear is real.

“These fraudsters will take your info however they can find it,” said Jason Kama, BBB Hawaii Marketplace Manager:

The easiest way, is your mailbox.

“There are many types of mail that comes in, and some contains a lot of sensitive information like bank statements, pre-approved credit applications, and insurance application,” said Lisa Nakao, Office Manager for BBB Hawaii.

She says your personal information is sometimes already filled out and that we shouldn’t toss all junk mail.

“People are really trying to secure their online persona and they want to make sure their passwords are secure and things like that, but they’re still not paying attention to the secure information that comes to you through the postal mail,” Kama said.

One woman mails her rent checks to her landlord. She sends all her roommates checks in the same envelope, but last month, only hers didn’t make it to him.

“A few days later, I got my check returned in a USPS envelope, and my check was ripped in half and they put in the mailbox what was left of it,” said Honolulu resident Julia Finch. “I was a little worried about that, my account number is on there and my routing number.”

According to the United States Postal Service website, they respond to more than 27,000 consumer fraud complaints a year, including reports of identity theft.

To keep your information safe you can buy a mailbox with a lock and also opt out of receiving pre-approved applications via mail.

Experts also say to check your credit score at least once a year, and to monitor bank statements.