Have you decided it is time to shred your documents, but don’t know where to start? We can help. The following list of eight things to shred is a great place to begin your confidential document disposal. Worried about how to handle your document destruction? We can help with that, too! Our shredding services allow you to take care of all your confidential shredding needs as easily as possible.
Get Shredding: These Eight Things Need To Go
1. Old Tax Returns: Any return older than five years can be shredded. Those more recent returns should be filed in a safe place just in case you have a dispute with the taxation office or are the subject of an audit.
2. Credit Card and Bank Statements: Do not keep anything with your bank account number on it any longer than necessary. One way to make this easier on yourself is to receive your bank statements online. Not only are you reducing your risk of identity theft, you are saving paper. Credit card and bank statements should be kept for five years if they are needed for tax purposes; otherwise they can be shredded after one year.
3. Credit Card Offers: You probably receive these in the mail almost weekly. If you think they’re junk mail you can toss in the rubbish bin, think again. Someone could change the address on the offer, fill it in and receive the card at their house. Since your name is on it, you’d be responsible for all of the fraudulent charges.
4. Credit Card Convenience Cheques: These blank cheques are anything but convenient if you don’t shred them. Watch your credit card statements and credit card offers; they might be included in either type of mailing.
5. Canceled Credit Cards: The information on these cards and the related paperwork is still valuable to a thief. Make sure everything is permanently destroyed.
6. Canceled Cheques: As with canceled credit cards, the information on old or canceled cheques can still be used for fraud. Your account and BSB numbers are on the bottom of every cheque.
7. Paystubs: These have enough personal information to put you at risk. Keep a year’s worth, at most—sometimes they are needed as proof of income. The rest can be shredded.
8. Expired Photo IDs: Just because they are expired doesn’t mean they can’t be used in identity theft.
Where Can You Shred?
Now that you know what to shred, you are probably wondering how to make that happen in the fastest and easiest way possible. You’re in luck. Shred On Site is hosting a Shred Day in Elwood in December. You won’t find an easier way to dispose of those unwanted and unneeded documents. Can’t make the Shred Day? No problem! Shred on Site can come to you. Browse our website for more information, or just give us a call. We can help you plan for all of your shredding needs.
