 Document Destruction: Security Through Shredding
Shredders Help Prevent Identity Theft
The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has teamed with Fellowes® to offer
people tips on how to prevent identity theft. Thieves can't steal what they
can't read, so it can't be said enough-one of the most important steps you can
take in preventing identity theft is to properly dispose of personal
information so it doesn't end up in the wrong hands.
Experts agree that the best way to dispose of documents that contain your
personal information is to shred them. Fellowes strongly recommends using a
cross-cut shredder. Unlike strip-cut models or other in which the pieces can potentially
be put back together, cross-cut or confetti-cut machines produce smaller pieces
that are more difficult to reassemble, which ultimately provides greater document security.
Shred This-Recommended Top 20
It's not difficult to determine what you should shred. Essentially, any
document containing information that you don't want others to have should be
shredded. People who buy their first shredder are surprised as they often end
up shredding twice as much as they expected. It's a simple step that goes a
long way toward securing your information. Here's a brief list of documents
that should be shredded:
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Obsolete financial records, including loan applications
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Pre-approved credit card applications
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Personal medical records or physician statements
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Correspondence and tax preparation worksheets
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Receipts for purchases
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Bank statements
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ATM receipts
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Credit card statements
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Cancelled checks
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Mail and old records
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Utility bills
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Credit card charges
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Insurance forms
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Investment transactions
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Expired charge cards
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Mailing labels from magazines
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Pay stubs
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Old driver's licenses or passports
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Expired insurance and membership cards
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Any documents that may contain Social Security numbers, birth dates, your
mother's maiden name and any account numbers or online passwords
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