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Offering protection from identity theftIn an effort to help protect my of more than $2.5 billion perpeople from identity theft, year. Halton Crime Stoppers and One of the best ways to pro-Shred-It have teamed up to help tect yourself from identity theftpeople destroy sensitive docu-is to shred any paper that hasments safely.your name and other personalThe two organizations will information, said Cal Millar,host four Community Shred-It chair of Halton Crime Stoppers,events in late March and early in a press release.April. The events will be held Criminals can use a fewaround Halton region.details collected from a discardPeople will be able to bring utility bill or bank statement tounwanted private papers or doc-fraudulently obtain credit cards,uments to be safely destroyed.drivers licenses, health cards orThis program also recognizes other forms of identification inFraud Prevention Month.your name, he added. In Oakville, the event will It can be a nightmare forhappen at Oakville Place Mall on anyone trying to repair the dam-March 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.age to their credit rating andAt the Shred-It events, Crime reputation after becoming a vic-Stoppers will be asking people tim of identity theft.for a $5 donation for every shop-Halton Crime Stoppers isping bag of personal papers or hoping its partnership with$10 to shred the equivalent of a Shred-It will not only increasebankers box.the awareness of identity theftAccording to the organiza-and the crime that stems from it,NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVERtion, identity theft is one of the but will directly protect resi-ON THE JOB: From left, Shred-It Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Michael Collins, Crime Stoppers Board fastest growing crimes in Canada, dents in this area from becom-Member Kelly Gorven, Halton Regional Police Inspector Jackie Gordon and Crime Stoppers Sgt. Gary Gold gathered at which robs the Canadian econo-ing victims.Shred-It to promote the launch of the community shred event taking place March 26 at Oakville Place Mall. www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 11, 2011 12