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City reminds residents to shred personal documents before recycling at the curb

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 9, 2016 7:30 AM

Summary

The City would like to remind residents to shred their personal documents prior to placing them at the curbside.

Refuse and Recycling Collectors have seen some individuals with vehicles in the area of collection routes who appear to be searching through yellow bags for papers. It is possible that these individuals intend to use these documents for the purposes of fraud.

Shredding documents is an easy and effective way of minimizing your personal vulnerability to fraud. Your shredded documents can still be recycled.

Link to Strategic Plan: Environmental Responsibility and Economic Health

Key Points

  • Any document containing personal information should be shredded prior to recycling this includes: bank statements, pay stubs, tax information, invoices, health and medical records and any documents containing SIN numbers, other ID numbers and passwords.
  • Shredded paper can be recycled in the yellow bag. Please place it in a paper bag or a clear plastic bag tied at the top.
  • Please call the RCMP non-emergency number if you spot anyone suspicious looking through your garbage or recycling. Please note that the City is still running its curbside recycling inspection program so there may be City employees checking your recycling. City employees will be wearing high visibility clothing and they will carry City identification.

Quotes

"I'd like to ask residents to be vigilant regarding the documents they place out for collection with their recycleables. Please shred your personal documents and recycle them at the curbside by placing them in a paper bag or a clear plastic bag tied at the top."

Charlotte Davis
Manager of Sanitation and Recycling
City of Nanaimo

"Please shred any personal documents that may be useful to fraudsters and report any suspicious activity using the RCMP non-emergency number."

Constable Gary O'Brien
Media Relations Officer
Community Policing Services, RCMP

Quick Facts

  • The RCMP non-Emergency line is (250) 754-2345
  • A home shredder is an affordable way to protect your self against possible fraud. If you have lots of papers, there are local shredding businesses that will shred your papers for you and some charities host shredding events by donation.
  • Your local Crime Stoppers organization will be hosting a shredding event at the Woodgrove branch of Save on Foods on Saturday 10th of December from 10-4. They will be accepting donations of $20 or more to shred your documents.
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Contact:

Charlotte Davis
Manager of Sanitation and Recycling
City of Nanaimo
250 756 5307

Print News Release

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