EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published in 2014.
The Winnipeg Police Service is displaying how easily a fraudster can go through trash to find personal information and use it for their gain and scam people out of their money or identity.
Everything from old prescription bottles, old driver's licences and bank statements are just some of what fraudsters use to steal identity.
There are all kinds of frauds and people are encouraged to educate themselves on how identity theft can happen.
On March 31, Winnipeg police will hold a free shredding event at St. Vital Mall parking lot outside Silver City from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help people get rid of old personal information, rather than simply throwing material into the trash.
Fraud losses came close to $200 million in Canada in 2012.
Earl Douglas learned the lesson of identity theft the hard way.
"I have a zero credit rating right now because of it, so it's difficult to get a loan or anything like that," Douglas said.
He said his information was used by thieves to rack up to $100,000 of credit under his name.
Now, he is extra vigilant now about what he does with his personal information.
More information on fraud awareness events in March on listed on the police service’s website.
Winnipeg police issued the following tips:
• Never send money to anyone you only know from an unsolicited phone call or email
• Never give out sensitive personal information online or over the phone
• Research any request for money before making a commitment
• Find a “Fraud Buddy” – someone whose advice you respect – and run any request for money by them before you commit to it
• Never feel pressured to make a quick decision
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
- with a report from Sheila North Wilson
