March is national Fraud Prevention Month and the Red Deer RCMP is encouraging residents to prevent fraud and identity theft by shredding confidential documents.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, Red Deer residents are invited to bring their confidential documents to the Carnival Cinemas north parking lot to take part in Red Deer Shred Day. The documents will be accepted by RCMP officers, secured in locked bins and then shredded on-site courtesy of Merlin Shredding.
Confidential documents may include:
- Tax returns and supporting documents (that are from 2014 or earlier)
- Bank and credit card statements
- Mortgage/investment statements
- Medical records
- Any document that contains a person’s name, address, age, date of birth, social insurance number, driver’s license/provincial ID number or other personal informatio
“Everyone has a responsibility to make sure their personal and confidential information is properly stored and disposed,” explains Red Deer RCMP Corporal Mike Evans, with Community Policing. “When sensitive information falls into the wrong hands it can lead to fraud and identity theft which often results in financial loss."
This year the Red Deer RCMP have invited a local community non-profit to join the event to collect donations. “Each year people ask us if we’re collecting donations for anyone, so this year we’ve invited Crime Stoppers to join us. We are encouraging a donation of a toonie per box of shredding, and hope the community will help support this valuable organization,” says Cpl. Evans. Volunteers from Crime Stoppers of Central Alberta will be onsite to collect donations. CRIME STOPPERS is a charitable not-for-profit organization that allows tipsters to anonymously report information about crimes or suspicious behaviour by calling or submitting online.
Residents are encouraged to follow a limit of three small boxes or grocery bags per household. For more information, visit The City of Red Deer’s Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/792737875425144.
Red Deer RCMP
For more information, contact:
Red Deer RCMP