Caution! You can get scammed with the trash you throw away

Have you ever thought about how much personal information you throw away without worrying about who could access it? Bills, package labels, and even bank statements can become tools for scammers if they fall into the wrong hands. A practice known as Dumpster Diving or Trashing allows criminals to obtain sensitive data directly from the trash, using it for fraud, blackmail, or identity theft.

In this article, we’ll explore how this technique works, the risks it involves, and what steps you can take to protect yourself.

Why should you be careful about what you throw away?

In the digital age, protecting our personal information is essential. However, many people forget that sensitive data is not only found on electronic devices but also on physical objects we discard. Throwing away documents with private information, package labels, or even bills can put you at risk of fraud and personalized scams.

What is dumpster diving and how does it work?

Dumpster Diving is a technique used by criminals to obtain personal information by rummaging through their victims’ trash. Although it may seem like an uncommon tactic, it is more frequent than one might think. By finding documents with personal data, addresses, or banking information, scammers can tailor frauds in a precise and effective manner.

Criminals can use this information for:

Identity theft

With the information obtained, scammers can impersonate you, open bank accounts, apply for loans, or make purchases in your name without you noticing. This can lead to legal and financial issues that may take months or even years to resolve.

---

Personalized scams

By knowing details about your shopping habits, contracted services, or even personal events, criminals can contact you pretending to be a company or entity you trust. They might, for example, send you fake emails or call you with real data about a recent purchase, increasing the likelihood of you falling for the scam.

---

Extortion and blackmail

If they find documents containing compromising information, such as medical bills, private letters, or sensitive details about your personal life, they may use this data to threaten to expose it in exchange for money or personal favors.

---

Types of information they can obtain from your trash

Many people believe that only official documents contain sensitive information. However, there are other items that can be dangerous if not disposed of properly:

Bills and bank statements

These documents often contain important details like your full name, address, account number, and even recent financial transactions. With this information, scammers could attempt to carry out fraudulent transactions in your name.

---

Package labels

Often, when we receive online purchases, the package label includes personal data such as name, address, and even a phone number. If you don’t destroy this label before discarding it, anyone with bad intentions could use that information to locate you or personalize a scam.

---

Letters or postal notifications

Service receipts, account statements, or notifications from institutions may contain information about insurance, memberships, or subscriptions. If someone gains access to these documents, they could use them to impersonate a legitimate company and deceive you.

---

Purchase receipts

Although they may seem harmless, some purchase receipts include the last digits of your credit or debit card, which could be enough for a scammer to try to make purchases in your name or manipulate your financial information.

---

Discarded electronic devices

Many people throw away mobile phones, computers, or hard drives without completely erasing the data stored on them. If these devices end up in the wrong hands, they could recover confidential information, including photos, emails, and passwords.

---

How to protect your information when discarding documents and items

To avoid falling victim to scams through this practice, it is essential to take steps to properly destroy any documents containing personal information. Here are some key recommendations:

Shred Your documents

If you need to dispose of papers with personal data, the best option is to use a cross-cut paper shredder. This type of shredder turns documents into small fragments, making reconstruction difficult. If you don’t have one, you can tear documents into very small pieces and distribute them across different trash bags.

---

Tear up package labels before throwing them away

Shipping labels contain valuable information, such as your full name, address, and tracking number. Before discarding a box or envelope, make sure to remove the label and tear it into several parts or shred it. If the box has printed information, you can use a permanent marker to cross out the data before throwing it away.

---

Delete data from electronic devices

If you are going to throw away a mobile phone, computer, or hard drive, never do so without first completely erasing its contents. Use specialized programs to overwrite the data several times to ensure it can’t be recovered. In some cases, it’s best to physically destroy the hard drive or the device’s memory.

---

Don’t leave documents visible in the trash

If you don’t have a shredder, another strategy is to mix torn documents with other waste, such as food scraps or dirty materials, to make it less likely that someone will try to recover them.

---

Avoid throwing personal information in public spaces

Never throw important documents in public trash bins, as they are more accessible to people looking to obtain data fraudulently. Always destroy the papers before discarding them in a secure, private container.

---

Real cases and consequences of dumpster diving

There have been multiple cases where criminals have used this technique to commit fraud. In several countries, there have been reports of bank scams, extortions, and identity theft after obtaining information from trash.

A common case involves people receiving calls from supposed bank employees who have specific details about their accounts. Trusting the authenticity of the call, they end up providing additional information that facilitates the scam.

Another example is blackmail based on information obtained from medical or personal documents, where criminals threaten to reveal private data unless they receive a payment.

Conclusion: Protect your information and avoid risks

Protecting personal data isn’t just about safeguarding your online presence; it also extends to the physical world. Properly destroying documents and labels before discarding them can make the difference between maintaining your security or becoming a victim of a scam.

At RepScan, we are experts in digital reputation protection and the removal of unwanted information from the internet. If you believe your privacy has been compromised or need help managing your online presence, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you protect your identity and prevent third parties from using your information against you.