Thieves Targeting Recycling Bins For Possible ID Theft In East Meadow
EAST MEADOW, NY (WCBS 880) - Residents in East Meadow, Long Island are being warned of thieves stealing from recycling bins placed outside their homes.
A white van has been spotted going from house to house and residents saw suspects allegedly stealing the bins with papers inside.
WCBS 880 Reporter Sophia Hall finds out how residents are vulnerable.
Podcast
Nassau County legislator Norma Gonsalves told WCBS 880 Reporter Sophia Hall the thieves are looking for credit card or bank statements, anything with account numbers to steal identities.
"They're taking what they want and discarding the rest of it, that's the other problem. They're not putting them back in the recycling bin," said Gonsalves.
Bottom line, do not put any personal paperwork in the recycling bins.
"Your trash can be treasure for identity theft thieves," said Police Lieutenant Kevin Smith.
READ: Protect Yourself From Identity Theft | Is Identity Theft Seasonal?
Smith suggests people may want to go paperless with their bills or to buy yourself a shredder to destroy any important papers.
