PAPER SHREDDING EVENT – PROTECTING PERSONAL INFPORMATION

In 2025, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received over 112,000 fraud reports involving over $704 million in reported losses. The statistics for 2026 indicate event higher amounts. The CAFC listed the use of personal information as the 3rd largest type of fraud. Fraudsters (criminals) are constantly looking at ways to get you give away sensitive information, like your social insurance number, passwords or banking details for use in crimes.

There are many ways in which you can help protect your personal information, such as always covering the keypad when typing your PIN at ATMs or point-of-sale terminals, or keeping social media profiles private, and never revealing personal information like birthdates or addresses over social media. Another valuable safeguard is to shred all financial documents, statements, parcel labels and bills before putting them in the garbage or recycling.

To help our residents with this widespread crime problem, the Blackburn Hamlet Community Association (BCA), with the help of our Councillor, Laura Dudas, will be holding a Paper Shredding event at 190 Glenpark Drive (Community Hall) on July 25 from 10am to 2pm.

In the parking lot, using the services of a local shredding company, Iron Mountain, residents can shred their personal documents, on sight and free of charge. We will accept documents that can be carried in a Bankers Box size box. We do ask residents for a limit of one box per person.

In addition, inside the Events Room of the Blackburn arena, there will be an Information Table where residents can learn about the best practices in the protection of their personal information against fraud and scams. Members of the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre and the Ottawa Police are assisting us with this event and will be on site to answer questions.

There will be a door prize of a personal shredder for those attending.

All queries should be directed to BCA Safety at safety@blackburnhamlet.ca. Hope to see you on July 25.

Don Kelly
BCA Safety