The Nanaimo and Ladysmith divisions of Crimestoppers will look to cut identity theft in the region by offering a by-donation shredding event on Saturday, Sept. 25. (Thomas Fehr/Dreamstime.com)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

‘They dive through dumpsters:’ return of shredding event aims to stop identity thieves

Sep 23, 2021 | 7:09 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties are offering a way to stop identity thieves in their tracks.

The Nanaimo and Ladysmith branches of the RCMP’s Crimestoppers program will again host a shredding event between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 outside the Save-On-Foods near Woodgrove Centre.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said shredding important documents with personal and financial information is crucial. He said certain people in the city, referred to as “bottom feeders” are paid $25 a night to find information to aid identity thieves.

“They dive through dumpsters, literally dive into garbage cans in front of your house because there’s no expectation of privacy, they can go into it and they’re finding pieces of ID, building a profile.”

O’Brien added these people will collect letters and bank statements, then move it up to others who can build a complete identity or profile based on your information.

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“They use it to open bank accounts, lines of credit, they can get fake ID’s so it’s essential if you have information lying around your house to get it shredded.”

The event is by donation, with a suggested minimum $20 donation per bankers box of documents.

Brian Cornborough, Nina Chotikanuj and Cst. Gary O’Brien. (submitted photo/Nanaimo RCMP)

All proceeds will go directly to the RCMP Victim Services program, which provides supports to victims of crime and other trauma including helping victims through the court system, providing vital updates and offering emotional support.

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