How Important Is It to Shred Documents for Identity Protection?

Is It Really Necessary to Shred Documents for Identity Protection?

Instances of identity theft are on the rise across the country. Homes and businesses contain thousands of sheets of paper that contain sensitive and confidential data. If this information fell into the wrong hands, the effects could be long-lasting and devastating.

The best way to protect sensitive information is to completely destroy the documents that contain it. Professional shredding services offer a guarantee that these documents have been securely destroyed and that the information they contain remains private and protected.

The Importance of Shredding Documents

Properly disposing of sensitive documents via shredding services is the best way to maintain the security of your personal and confidential data. Shredding equipment completely destroys documents so that there is no hope of reconstructing them and using the information for identity theft or fraud. Because shredding services are so cost-effective, there is really no better way to ensure that personal and financial data does not end up in the wrong hands.

Key Types of Documents to Shred

Identity thieves only need a few pieces of information to effectively steal your identity. A credit card or bank statement, old ID or passport, pay stubs, or discarded credit offer, or application can allow them to commit fraud. You should always shred unneeded documents that contain any kind of personal information, such as your social security number, birth date, email address, account numbers, phone number, password, and full address. You should also shred the following:

• Credit card and bank statements
• Tax returns and other tax documents
• Job applications
• Credit and loan applications
• Pre-approval offers from lenders and credit agencies
• Credit reports
• Sales and ATM receipts
• Utility bills
• Insurance offers
• Canceled checks
• Old checkbooks
• Old IDs or passports
• Expired warranties
• Any document with your signature on it
• Old credit cards
• Medical documents
• Resumes

Benefits of Shredding Personal Documents

Shredding your personal documents protects you and your loved ones by reducing your risk of identity theft and fraud, protecting sensitive information, reducing clutter in your home, and preventing documents from ending up in the trash or landfills. The biggest benefits are:

• Prevent Identity Theft – When you shred documents that contain personal information or financial information, you can prevent potential identity thieves from accessing them. They could use that data to open accounts in your name, blackmail you or your family, or commit other dangerous and fraudulent acts.
• Free Up Space in Your Home – Keeping paper records in your home takes up a lot of space. Shredding these documents securely destroys them and frees up space in your home. Document destruction also reduces fire and security hazards in your home.
• Protect the Environment – Without shredding services, your documents and paper waste would end up in a landfill. Shredding these documents and then recycling the shredded material reduces your environmental impact.
• Maintain Peace of Mind – You’ll rest easier knowing that your personal and financial information is securely destroyed. If someone breaks into your home, you won’t need to worry that they also made off with your private data.

How and Where to Shred Documents Safely

A cross-cut shredder is the most effective and safest way to shred documents completely. The most efficient and secure way to shred your personal documents is to use a professional document destruction service. They will come to your home, collect your materials, and either shred them on-site or at their facility. They will then recycle or incinerate the shredded materials and provide you with a certificate of destruction.

DIY vs. Professional Shredding

While DIY shredding may seem more convenient, it can actually be time-consuming and cumbersome. In addition to buying and storing the proper type of shredding equipment, you will have to incinerate or recycle the shredded material yourself. If you don’t shred the documents properly, you are still at risk of identity theft. When you work with a professional shredding service, they will handle everything for you, including picking up your documents, shredding them, and destroying the shredded material. They can also handle large volumes of documents easily and efficiently.

Get an Estimate for Professional Document Shredding

At A1 Shredding & Recycling, we specialize in residential document destruction services in Florida and Georgia. We make it easy for you to schedule the secure destruction of personal and private documents.

Call us now or contact us online to schedule a pick-up, and we’ll come to your home and shred your documents on-site. You can also schedule a time to drop off your documents at our facility or schedule ongoing pick-up or drop-off services. In addition to paper shredding and recycling, we also offer hard drive destruction and disposal and media destruction equipment. Our services are private, reliable, and cost-effective and can protect you and your family from fraud and misuse of your personal or financial data.