Paper is something that seems to be always around you. Work, school, home, you can’t escape it. You would think with the advance in technology we could become a paperless society, if only it were that simple. So now the question is what should you shred? Here are a few quick tips that are sure to help you decide.
Shred Right Away:
Cancelled/voided checks, insurance information, expired credit cards, paystubs, employment records, identification cards, used airline tickets, travel itineraries, medical/dental records, items with a signature, payroll information, credit reports, credit union/bank statements, ATM receipts and address labels from junk mail, magazines, and credit card offers. Don’t forget to remove your labels from empty prescription bottles.
Never Shred:
Social Security cards, birth certificates, adoption papers, death certificates of family members, home deeds, titles, marriage certificates, citizen papers, and passports. Make sure to keep these documents in a secure and safe place like a fireproof safe or a safe deposit box.
Remember that shredding your documents with your personal information is a great idea. Identity thieves are out there and they won’t be able to access documents that you have destroyed. Keep this one tip in mind: Once you have put your trash out for pickup, it is not illegal for someone to go through your trash. Keep your identity safe by purchasing a paper shredder or visiting a free shredding day event in your local community.
