Shred on Site

Physical documents containing sensitive information are opportunities for identity theft. By effectively destroying documents that contain personal and confidential information, secure shredding can be a powerful tool in protecting against identity theft.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone unlawfully obtains and uses someone else's personal data, typically for financial gain. This can lead to severe consequences, including financial loss, damaged credit ratings, and even legal issues. The stolen information can range from social security numbers and bank account details to medical records and addresses. Some of this sensitive information might be:

• Birth dates
• Social security numbers
• Names
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Financial record numbers
• Medical information
• Legal information

Types of Documents You Should Shred

Not all documents are created equal when it comes to the risk they pose if they fall into the wrong hands. Here are some of the types of documents you should consider shredding:

1. Financial Documents
   Bank statements, tax returns, investment records, and loan documents contain a lot of sensitive information that identity thieves can exploit. These documents often include account numbers, financial transactions, personal identification details, and even signatures. Shredding these documents prevents unauthorised access to your financial details, thereby protecting you from potential financial fraud and identity theft. Retain only necessary records and ensure that all outdated financial documents are securely shredded.
2. Personal Identification
   Old passports, driver’s licenses, social security cards, and other forms of ID are prime targets for identity thieves. These documents provide a complete profile of your personal information, which can be used to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or even commit crimes in your name. To prevent identity fraud, it is crucial to shred any expired or replaced personal identification documents. This practice ensures that these sensitive items are not misused by criminals.
3. Medical Records
   Health insurance forms, medical bills, and any documents containing personal health information should be shredded to protect your medical privacy. Medical records often include detailed personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, and insurance details. Identity thieves can use this information to commit medical identity theft, leading to fraudulent claims and unauthorised medical treatments. Shredding these documents helps maintain your privacy and prevents misuse of your medical information.
4. Utility Bills and Junk Mail
   Even seemingly harmless documents like utility bills and junk mail can contain enough information for identity thieves to cause damage. Utility bills often display your name, address, and account number, which can be used to impersonate you or gain access to other accounts. Junk mail, especially pre-approved credit offers, can be a goldmine for identity thieves if they fall into the wrong hands. Shredding these documents ensures that even the smallest piece of personal information is not left vulnerable to exploitation.

How to Shred Your Documents

When it comes to shredding your documents, there are a few methods you can consider:

Home Shredders

For small amounts of confidential waste, a personal home shredder can be an effective solution. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. However, it's important to choose a cross-cut or micro-cut shredder, as they provide a higher level of security than strip-cut shredders, making it much harder for anyone to piece the documents back together.

Professional Shredding Services

For larger volumes of documents or for businesses handling highly sensitive information, professional shredding services are the best option. These services offer several advantages:

• Regular Shredding Services: For companies generating confidential waste daily, a regular shredding service on a set schedule ensures continuous protection.
• On-Site Shredding: Mobile shredding trucks come to your location and shred the documents on the spot, ensuring that sensitive information never leaves your premises.
• Off-Site Shredding: Documents are securely transported to a shredding facility for destruction. While secure, it's crucial to use a reputable service that maintains a stringent chain of custody.

Using Professional Shredding Services

Opting for a professional shredding service provides peace of mind and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory standards. These services are designed to handle large volumes of confidential waste securely and efficiently.

• Security and Compliance: Professional shredding services comply with industry standards and regulations, ensuring that your documents are disposed of securely.
• Certificates of Destruction: After shredding, you receive a Certificate of Destruction, providing proof that your documents have been securely destroyed. This is particularly important for businesses to maintain compliance records.
• Convenience: Regularly scheduled pickups and secure disposal methods mean you don’t have to worry about the buildup of sensitive documents.

For professional shredding services, get in touch with us today.