Busted identity theft ring highlights importance of paper shredders

The constant drum beat from media outlets over the dangers of identity theft have at times seemed overblown.  It is true that a great deal of identity theft occurs on the internet, in the office and amongst family members.  And so the reminders to watch of for strangers stealing your garbage can ring hollow.  But a case in North Carolina highlights the real dangers, as a group of criminals has taken dumpster diving to a new level.

According to a report from the Herald Sun, a group of identity thieves was busted in a hotel room with discarded check stubs that had been pilfered from the trash cans of local residents.  These check stubs were then used to create counterfeit checks by the five individuals involved.  Fortunately for the residents around North Carolina, the suspects tried to pay for the hotel rooms in which they were staying with fraudulent payments, which put an end to their endeavors.

These individuals are a part of a growing group of white collar criminals, who are using new technology, printers and common trash theft to wreak havoc on peoples finances.  The importance of buying a home paper shredder can not be overstated, and is most championed by those who have experienced these type of crimes or seen them the most.  the officer Hunter on the case in North Carolina said it best as he reported to the Sun Herald "What people should've asked for this year was a confetti shredder."  A confetti shredder or crosscut paper shredder can bring you a piece of mind, and may just keep you from being the victim of a group of dumpster divers.