Shredders – The ID Thieves Nightmare
There is one simple thing you can do to stop one form of ID theft, and that is to shred every document that has your name on it before discarding it. A good shredder will reduce even thick files to unrecognizable bits, and allow you the peace of mind you need.
Why Should you Shred?
ID Thieves have dumpster dived for years, finding medical records and patient information outside doctors’ offices and lawyers condominiums. Sometimes the people you entrust with your information are careless. Asking for your records to be returned to you so you can oversee their shredding is not unreasonable.
How to Shred
A cheap shredder simply slices the paper into ribbons, often not completely detaching them from one another. The resulting perforated strips can often be taped back together by enterprising thieves, and personal identifying information extracted. A crosscut shredder, on the other hand, cuts each sheet into hundreds of tiny slivers, rendering it almost impossible to reconstruct.
What to Shred
Items that should always be shredded are old bills, particularly credit card bills and statements, as well as bank statements and payment information for mortgage or vehicle loans. If you simply make a habit of shredding junk mail as well, you won’t have to worry if you are receiving unwanted credit card applications – simply shred the info and toss it, after writing down the company’s information so you can contact them and request that no more offers be mailed to you.
When You Can’t Shred
Of course, you can’t shred the internet, and with so much of today’s commerce taking place online you need to know how to protect yourself. Change passwords often, and use random letter and number combinations. Secure your PC or laptop with the best defenses you can afford, and pay attention to suspicious emails, avoiding clicking any links until you are sure they will cause no harm.
Invest in some form of inexpensive credit alert program, that will notify you instantly if your social security number is used in any way without your approval. Insurance is also available to help minimize your losses if you are the victim of ID theft. Take advantage of these safe guards for your piece of mind.
