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, Red Deer residents are invited to bring their confidential documents to Carnival Cinemas north parking lot to take part in Red Deer Shred Day.
Confidential documents may include: Tax returns and supporting documents (that are from 2014 or earlier), bank and credit card statements, mortgage/investment statements and medical records. Any document with a person’s name, address, age, date of birth, social insurance number, driver’s license/provincial ID number or other personal information can be brought in.
These documents will be kept by police in locked bins and then shredded on-site, courtesy of Merlin Shredding.
“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.”
A toonie per box of shredding can be donated towards CRIME STOPPERS a charitable not-for-profit organization that allows tipsters to anonymously report information about crimes or suspicious behaviour by calling or submitting online.
There’s a limit of three small boxes or grocery bags per household. For more information, visit The City of Red Deer’s Facebook event page.