BALLARAT residents are being urged to head to Central Square on Friday to take part in ShredFest.  ShredFest is a free event aimed at helping residents reduce their risk of identity fraud by shredding old bills, bank statements, credit card applications, utility bills, insurance and health records. ACCC figures show that Australians lost $1.8 million to identity theft in 2015 alone. During the last financial year Ballarat residents contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria 27 times about scams. The shredding initiative is inspired by a similar event in New York and was held in Melbourne for the first time last year.  Minister for Consumer Affairs Jane Garrett said there were a number of documents scammers could use to steal residents money and identity.  “Ballarat’s first ShredFest will give people the chance to get rid of sensitive documents ahead of tax time for free,” she said.  A shredding truck will be available at Central Square between 12pm and 2pm.
