Identity theft is becoming increasingly common as personal information becomes more readily available online. However, some thieves still prefer to obtain this information through traditional means such as paper statements and bills. One way to deter these criminals is by taking proactive measures with your documentation. Rather than simply throwing away bills and other paperwork, keep a designated box for storage until you can shred the contents. This way, you can be confident that your sensitive information won’t end up in the wrong hands. Here are six must-know shredding tips to prevent identity theft:
Tip #1: Don’t Wait Until Your Documents Are No Longer Needed To Shred Them.
Thieves can rummage through trash cans and dumpsters in search of personal information. To prevent this, shred documents as soon as they’re no longer needed. It includes bank statements, credit card offers, and utility bills.
Tip #2:Do Not Store All Your Essential Documents In One Place.
While having a designated spot for storing sensitive paperwork is important, you should keep only some of your documentation in one location. Spread out these items among different rooms or even different buildings. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access everything at once should they break into your home or office.
Tip #3: Keep Track Of What You Shred.
It can be helpful to create a shredded documents log to keep track of what you’re destroying. This is especially important for businesses that need to maintain records according to certain laws and regulations. By having a list of shredded items, you’ll be able to easily reference this information if needed.
Tip #4: Use A Cross-Cut Shredder.
While most people are familiar with the standard strip-cut shredder, these machines provide less security than their cross-cut counterparts. Strip-cutters simply cut your documents into long strips, which can often be put back together with enough time and effort. Cross-cut shredders, on the other hand, cut your papers into small pieces, making it much more difficult (if not impossible) to reassemble them.
Tip #5: Shred Old Documents Regularly.
Just because you don’t need a document anymore doesn’t mean it can’t be used to steal your identity. To be safe, shred any old paperwork that contains sensitive information, even if you don’t think anyone would ever want to access it. This includes things like medical records, tax returns, and canceled checks.
Tip #6: Hire A Professional Shredding Company
Hiring a professional shredding company may be more efficient for businesses or individuals with large documents to shred regularly. These companies will come to your location and destroy your copies using state-of-the-art equipment. This is often more secure than doing it yourself, and it can free up time that you would otherwise spend shredding paperwork.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from identity theft and the many hassles that come along with it. While no method is foolproof, taking these precautions can give you peace of mind knowing that your personal information is safe.
Contact TITAN Mobile Shredding For NAID AAA Certified Shredding Services
If you’re looking for a mobile shredding partner, look no further than TITAN Mobile Shredding. We are a NAID AAA Certified leading provider of mobile shredding services, and we’re here to help you protect your confidential information. We provide the perfect solution for businesses and residents in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware areas that need a reliable and secure way to destroy their documents. We offer various mobile shredding services like scheduled shredding, one-time shredding, and hard drive destruction designed to meet your specific needs and requirements.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to request a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you!
