30 tons of paper, e-waste recycled to fight fraud

It couldn’t be clearer -- Cincinnati area residents want to protect themselves and their families from fraud, scams and ID theft.

More than 19 tons of household documents and almost 11 tons of electronic equipment (e-waste) were dropped off when about 400 vehicles were driven through the Fight Fraud – Shred & Recycle Instead! event on Saturday, May 23, at the University of Cincinnati campus in Blue Ash.

A dozen AARP volunteers in Cincinnati worked alongside Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartmann -- who established the Hamilton County Coalition to Stop Scams, Fraud and Abuse -- and volunteers with the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau. Many community members who took computer hard drives and cell phones to be destroyed and recycled told the volunteers that being able to safely dispose of these items was a tremendous relief.

“E-waste was very popular, even more so than the shred line,” notes Nicole Ware, who directs AARP projects in Cincinnati. “Shred events have been offered consistently in communities across Cincinnati, and this partnership with AARP in Cincinnati was the first time e-waste recycling was added to an event co-sponsored by our partners.”

AARP volunteers also offered Fraud Watch Network information to drivers, letting them know how to register to receive email alerts about the latest scams popping up their neighborhoods and across Ohio. To sign up for Watchdog Alerts, visit www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork