BATON ROUGE — La Capitol Federal Credit Union volunteers shredded the risks associated with identity theft Saturday, April 18, 2026, on the grounds of the Baton Rouge Police headquarters. Joining forces with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for the 18th Annual Shred Fest, the credit union helped residents secure their financial futures by disposing of sensitive data in a safe, eco-friendly environment.
Shred Fest is an annual community initiative designed to give a secure way for individuals to dispose of confidential documents and outdated electronics. By offering professional-grade shredding on-site, the event serves as a critical first line of defense against identity theft—one of the fastest-growing crimes in the digital age.
Organizers said that 645 vehicles were serviced during the event, which was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Vehicles began lining up as early as 7:30 a.m., prompting an unofficial early start.
The event made a monumental environmental impact, collecting a combined 40,000 pounds of paper and e-waste. By processing these 20 tons of material, the community successfully saved 340 trees and conserved a staggering 140,000 gallons of water.
The event’s footprint was further reduced by keeping 60 cubic feet of waste out of landfills and saving 7,600 gallons of oil alongside 80,000 kW of energy. Beyond resource conservation, the initiative also prevented 1,200 pounds of air pollution from entering the atmosphere. The event also featured a community food drive to support local families in need.
La Capitol, a member-owned financial institution, views fraud prevention as a cornerstone of its mission. “Protecting our members’ financial well-being goes far beyond the vault,” said Mark Matthews, Chief Operations Officer. “We are deeply vested in fraud prevention and education because identity theft can be devastating to a person’s credit and peace of mind.”
Matthews, who also serves on the BBB Board of Directors, said this act of service goes beyond trash collection. “By participating in events like Shred Fest, we’re not just destroying paper; we’re helping our neighbors build a wall of security around their personal information,” he said.
La Capitol’s commitment to security doesn’t end when the shredding trucks leave. The credit union maintains a dedicated Fraud Prevention Center on its website, offering resources to help members spot red flags. Additionally, La Capitol offers member education to raise awareness. By integrating community outreach with digital resources, La Capitol continues to lead the charge in keeping Louisiana’s residents safe from financial predators.
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About La Capitol: La Capitol Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial co-operative. Founded in 1961, La Cap has remained one of Louisiana’s most progressive and trusted financial institutions, providing a wide range of financial services to more than 53,000 members statewide. La Cap is among the largest credit unions in Louisiana.