Crime Stoppers of Halton Working to Combat Identity Theft
Published April 30, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Crime Stoppers of Halton is working, along with Blue-Pencil Information Management, to combat identity theft and related fraud.
Crime Stoppers of Halton is working, along with Blue-Pencil Information Management, to combat identity theft and related fraud.
On Saturday, May 25, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Crime Stoppers of Halton will be hosting a spring ‘Shred Event’ in order to combat one of the largest means of fraud – identity theft.
The event will be held at the Halton Regional Police Service headquarters at 2485 North Service Rd. W., in Oakville.
Anyone who plans on attending should bring items they wish to shred in returnable bins as there will be no capacity to recycle cardboard or plastic at the event.
Videos
This event also took place last year.
“Last year, our shred events securely disposed of over 14-tonnes of sensitive documentation,” David Wood, director of Halton Crime Stoppers, said in a recent press release. “We appreciate Blue-Pencil’s partnership for this shred event to help residents of Halton safely and securely dispose of their sensitive and confidential information.”
Wood also noted that, although anyone can fall victim to identity theft and financial fraud, seniors and the elderly can be particularly vulnerable.
“When thinking about the secure disposal of your own sensitive personal documents, please also consider helping your family and friends protect themselves,” Wood said.
One way someone can protect themselves, and their family members, is by disposing of items that contain personal information properly.
According to the release, items such as cancelled cheques, banking, tax, and other financial records, old letterhead, invoices, copies of job applications, and anything containing personal information should never be placed into the regular garbage or recycling streams.
“In the hands of criminals, these documents can be easily used to obtain credit cards, access bank accounts, obtain passports and other identification, or even to obtain a mortgage on your home without your knowledge until it’s too late,” reads the release. “Destroying confidential and business documents is the best way to protect yourself and your family from becoming victims of fraud.”
Residents and business owners can also access Blue-Pencil’s secure mobile shredder to ensure the safe and efficient destruction of their personal and sensitive documents.
For more information about the spring ‘Shred Event’, visit www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or contact Detective Constable Nadine Clarke at 905-825-4747 ext. 5118.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising