The Civil Guard explains why you should not throw this object in the trash

The Civil Guard has issued a warning through its social networks about the risk of discarding personal documents without first destroying them. The call focuses on avoiding what is known as ‘dumpster diving’or trashing‘, a practice in which criminals sift through trash, both physical and digital, in search of sensitive information.

In its warning, the Civil Guard specifies that carelessly discarded information can provide criminals with passwords, card numbers and other sensitive data. This data, obtained by simply accessing the waste of a person or company, can become tools to perpetrate fraud.

In this sense, agents warn that personal documents that may seem harmless, such as receipts with bank details or simple notes, are targets sought by this type of criminals. This information, they explain, can be used to later impersonate the victim and access their accounts.

How can I avoid being a victim of ‘dumpster diving’ or ‘trashing’?

The Civil Guard’s advice is direct: make sure you safely destroy any documents with personal data before disposing of them. Agents recommend not only tearing up papers, but also destroying obsolete or damaged electronic devices that contain personal or professional information.