Identity theft is when your personal details are stolen and identity fraud is when those details are used to commit fraud. One way to avoid making it easy for the criminals is to ensure your confidential, personal paperwork gets shredded when you dispose of it.
So in 2018, West Marsh Community Centre (WMCC) in Grimsby applied for funding from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioners Crime Reduction Fund to support an idea to reduce the potential for identity theft locally.
The end result is four large shredders placed into community venues across North East Lincolnshire and a promotional campaign to ensure that people are woken up to the possibility of identify theft and start to use the shredders to dispose of confidential documents.
Use of the shredders is completely free for local residents – you’ll just need to access the venues at appropriate times and follow the rules for using the shredders.
So we’re encouraging the community to shred unwanted confidential documents, letters and even old credit cards. Throwing them into the bin should not be an option (all too easy for someone to remove from the bin and collect personal information).
So use the shredders yourself, tell other and keep spreading the word. Let’s try and tackle identity fraud together.
Please feel free to use the poster below to display or share. (Click or tap the image to view full screen and/or download)
Where to Find a Shredder
Beeson Street, Grimsby, DN31 2QH
Durban Road, Grimsby, DN32 8BX
Pelham Road, Immingham, DN40 1QF
Sidney Sussex Recreation Ground, Brereton Avenue, Cleethorpes, DN35 8AB
For further information contact West Marsh Community Centre.
West Marsh Community Centre, Beeson Street, Grimsby, DN31 2QH. Telephone 01472 269230. email west_marsh@hotmail.com
There is now a fifth Community Shredder at
82 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7DP
This shredder has been funded directly by Big Local North Cleethorpes. (more information here)
Identity Fraud
Should you have any concerns about identity fraud then please contact the Police via 101 (non-urgent) or www.humberside.police.uk.
or visit this Identity Theft website to find out more.