Spring cleaning is right around the corner.
And, Port Moody police (PMPD) are offering an opportunity for those looking to get a head start on disposing that old desktop computer or iPhone 3G.
The department is hosting a free electronic recycling and data destruction station at city hall this weekend.
It's part of local law enforcement's fraud prevent month campaign to crack down on any future virtual theft.
"We highly recommend the public destroy their data when done with [old electronics] to prevent identity fraud, which is the most commonly reported type of fraud and can often be prevented," PMPD spokesperson Const. Sam Zacharias explains to the Tri-City News.
"[...] fraudsters continue to find more sophisticated and detailed means of tricking Canadians out of their money," the B.C. government's website adds.
"While none of the most 'lucrative' types of fraud are particularly new concepts, changes to the way Canadians spend their time and new methods of delivery have made us more susceptible to certain types of fraud."
Items that'll be accepted during the four-hour stop include old and unwanted computers, hard drives, laptops, cell phones and tablets.
Zacharias said a device's data is safely destroyed when its storage or memory disk put through a metal shredding device.
What's left is set to be refurbished as recycled electronics for non-profit organizations across the Tri-Cities.
The PMPD has partnered with the Electronics Recycling Association (ERA) to host the shredding event.
It's scheduled to take place Saturday (March 4) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the roundabout in front of Port moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.).
On Our Radar is a thing we do when we're looking forward to an event that we think the public should be aware of. Think you have something for it? Email us at newsroom@tricitynews.com.
