If there’s a stack of old bank statements, medical bills or tax paperwork in your closet, Friday is a free, secure way to get rid of it.
Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas and Lubbock National Bank are holding a free Shred Day on Friday, Nov. 13, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., KCBD reported. It’s timed to National Recycling Day.
Where to go
- Lubbock National Bank, 4811 50th St.
- Goodwill Career Resource Center, 6520 University Ave., Suite 11.
What to bring
- Up to four boxes of personal documents, papers and folders.
- No need to pull out staples or paper clips.
Papers go into locked bins and are taken to Goodwill’s document destruction facility, which Goodwill says is NAID certified, HIPAA compliant and under 24-hour surveillance. Goodwill says its shredding work also creates jobs for people facing barriers to employment, according to the release published by KCBD and Hyperlocal Loop.
Not sure what’s safe to toss?
The IRS says that in general you should keep records that support your tax return for three years, with longer periods in some situations, such as seven years if you claim a loss from worthless securities or bad debt. It also recommends keeping copies of the tax returns you filed, and holding onto property records until the time limit runs out for the year you sell the property. Before tossing anything, the IRS says, check whether your insurance company or creditors need you to keep it longer.
While you’re at it: a free alert that watches for property fraud
Lubbock County Clerk Kelly Pinion launched a free service in October called Fraud Notify. It emails you whenever a document with your name on it is recorded at the clerk’s office, Lubbock Lights reported. That covers deeds, deeds of trust, liens and notices, but not court case filings.
Why it matters: Pinion told KCBD that scammers elsewhere in Texas have recorded fake documents to transfer ownership of homes, and that vacant lots, rentals, vacation homes and homes that seniors own outright can be at higher risk. She said she isn’t aware of it happening in Lubbock, but “I wanted to get a jump on things.”
How to sign up
- Go to the county’s Fraud Notify sign-up page and enter your email and name. KCBD reported that you can add nicknames or maiden names, and you don’t need to enter your address.
- Watch for a confirmation email.
- Alerts only cover documents recorded after you sign up.
If you get an alert
An alert doesn’t necessarily mean fraud. You’ll need to review the document in person at the County Clerk’s Office, 904 Broadway, Room 207, or buy a copy, the county says. The clerk’s office can’t remove a recorded document, and Pinion told KCBD that residents would need an attorney to have a fraudulent one declared void in court. Questions go to countyclerk@lubbockcounty.gov or 806-775-1076, according to Lubbock Lights.
The county pays for the service, so it’s free for residents, KCBD reported.
Quick list
- Free Shred Day: Fri., Nov. 13, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 4811 50th St. or 6520 University Ave., Suite 11. Up to four boxes.
- Fraud Notify: Free, online, anytime, through the Lubbock County Clerk.
Sources
- KCBD Noon Notebook, Nov. 4, 2026 (Goodwill Shred Day): https://www.kcbd.com/2026/11/04/noon-notebook-goodwill-invites-lubbock-community-free-shred-day/
- Hyperlocal Loop, Nov. 5, 2026: https://hyperlocalloop.com/goodwill-and-lubbock-national-bank-host-free-shred-day-on-nov-13/
- IRS, How long should I keep records?: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-long-should-i-keep-records
- Lubbock County Clerk, Fraud Notify sign-up page: https://erecord.lubbockcounty.gov/recorder/eagleweb/fraudGuardSignup.jsp
- Lubbock Lights, Benji Snead, Oct. 5, 2026: https://lubbocklights.com/lubbock-county-launches-free-property-fraud-alerts/
- KCBD, Brittany Crittenden, Oct. 6, 2026: https://www.kcbd.com/2026/10/07/lubbock-county-launches-free-property-fraud-alert-service/
