Paper Shredder Safety

Most paper shredders on the market have feed slots that are far too small for fingers to fit through. However some of the top brands include safety features such as sensors that detect foreign objects such as neck-ties, wristbands or whatever else could prove hazardous. This could be a worthy thought if your shredder will be for home use or in an environment where it may come into contact with children. Ultimately though safety is an issue that you will have to decide upon your self when making your decision on which paper shredder to purchase.

1. Credit Card Applications / Statements – This is a no-brainer, if a thief gets hold of your credit card number, account number, and address, he is only a few steps away from becoming ‘you’, and spending thousands on your card from your account.
2. Bank Statements / Letters – Mail from the bank always contains at the very least your account number and sort code, and when you open an account, make sure to shred your letter containing your new PIN number and log-in details, these are printed in the special ‘scratch-off’ areas for a reason.
3. Utility Bills – When you open an account, one of the things the bank will ask for is a utility bill to prove your address. So what would happen if an identity thief was to get hold of one? He could claim he lived at your house, and if he had other information, say, your name and date of birth, he could potentially impersonate you.
4. Expired Credit Cards – Some shredders have the capability to shred credit cards themselves, and if yours does, you should seriously consider shredding yours. Most people just cut their card into quarters, and while this may seem sufficient, it is extremely easy to piece back together and although the card may be useless in a shop, if it is not quite expired it could still be used to purchase goods online if the number is readable. Also, some shredders will even shred your old CDs and DVDs which may have sensitive data stored on them.
5. Birthday Cards, Junk Mail – Even innocent items such as birthday cards and junk adverts may contain sensitive information such as your date of birth, home telephone number and full name. Thieves only need a small amount of information to apply for a credit card or a bank account in your name.

So remember, shred as much as possible, even the smallest details should be destroyed, preferably with a cross-cut or diamond-cut shredder as these make it much harder for the thief to piece the information back together. Invest in a paper shredder today, and don’t forget to use it, it could just save you your identity.

1. If you are fond of writing checks, use only a gel pen with blank ink (gel pens are available in many colors including silver and gold). Gel pens are manufactured with a certain chemical that cannot be easily erased with special solvents used by identity theft criminals when changing the details on the check.
2. Research on how you can protect your child’s identity from identity theft. Your child has a very clean credit history which is very ideal for identity thieves. Also, identity thieves prefer children’s identity because children do not monitor their credit reports.
3. Opt out of phone directories and phone brigades. This will unlist your number from the local directory or if you want to be listed, use your first initial instead of your full name. Your full name and address are very valuable information that identity thieves can use for potential identity theft crimes.
4. Purchase a cross-cut shredder. Any documents that contain your personal information like receipts, credit card offers, bank statements and other correspondences should be shredded before they are thrown out of the trash. This would prevent dumpster divers from gaining access to your personal information.
5. Acknowledge the fact that dumpster diving actually exists and it’s not something that you can ignore. For this reason, you have to be very careful with the things that you throw in the trash can if you don’t want another person taking or using your identity.
6. Cover your hand when you key in your PIN number in the ATM machine. This would prevent shoulder surfers from getting your PIN number and making illegal transactions using your card account.
7. After withdrawing cash from the ATM machine, do not throw the receipt on the floor, or in the nearest garbage bin. The receipts also contain valuable information that criminals can use in their identity theft activities.
8. Instead of a signature, write the phrase “PHOTO ID REQUIRED” at the back of your credit card. If in case the card is stolen and the identity thief tries to make a purchase using your credit card, the cashier who will handle the transaction will be prompted to ask for additional ID cards before the entire purchase is completed. If, however, a purchase is still done, the store shares in the blame for any unauthorized charges that will be done in your account.
9. If you cannot memorize your social security numbers, passwords or PIN numbers, think of strategies that will enable you to remember all your passwords. Never, ever write them down on a small piece of paper and carry them around in your purse. To further protect yourself, do not carry other documents or identifying pieces of information that identity thieves can use, unless you really need them.
10. When you eat at restaurants or make purchases in department stores using your credit card, do not allow your credit card to be taken away from your sight. Whenever possible, do not allow the waiter to take it from you. They can switch your credit card and swipe them in a machine that will read all your account information.

Paper shredders come in two basic styles, cross-cut and strip-cut. Cross-cut shredders (also known as confetti-cut, diamond-cut or micro-cut) offer a more secure shred and a lower volume of waste although they tend to require more maintenance and may be more expensive. Strip-cut shredders (also known as straight-cut or spaghetti-cut) generate more waste and are less secure although they may be less costly to purchase and maintain.

In addition to these compelling legal reasons for equipping your office with a shredder, paper shredders also enhance productivity. Instead of employees having to worry about how to protect sensitive information that is no longer needed and wasting time seeking direction from their supervisors, employees can simply shred the documents and be done with it. Paper shredding also helps to maximize storage space around the office. When employees are through with documents, they can be shredded and disposed of instead of stacked up in dusty storage rooms.

Paper shredders protect more than your clients and employees; they also protect you. You can use your paper shredder to destroy records and communications you do not want others to see. Seeing your sensitive materials in the wrong hands can be embarrassing and costly. Given the alternative, a paper shredder is a meaningful investment. While you may be concerned about the price of a paper shredder, the knowledge that your employee records and customer information are protected is worth every penny. No one wants to end up in court trying to explain how or why confidential data were compromised.

This information is easier to obtain that you think, and before you realize it, you are a victim of identity fraud.

There are several common ways identity fraud is carried out. Online identity theft, considered to be the most popular form of identify fraud, is only one. Another method has been nicknamed “dumpster diving,” which involves stealing mail by rummaging through someone’s garbage for identifying documents.

These often include discarded receipts and paid bills, which all have identifying information on them that thieves find useful. One method used to fight identity theft is quite simple and effective: Consumers can reduce the risk of becoming the victims of identity fraud by buying and using a paper shredder. That way, no information of potential importance leaves the house intact.

Have you ever received an email from some stranger overseas claiming that you have inherited millions of dollars but have to send them your account number so they can wire it to you? Have you ever gotten a message from your bank asking for information about you, but you know they already have all that information?

If you can answer yes to either of these questions, you may have been singled out as a potential victim of online identity theft. This identity fraud tactic is known as “phishing.” There is no trick to fighting identity fraud like this, save using common sense. If you aren’t expecting an email from a trusted source or if you don’t know the sender, it is safer to just delete the email.

Of course, the biggest way identity theft gets perpetrated is the most recognizable. Hackers take a more direct approach to fraud. They break into computers and steal the information they need. Again, there’s a good way to fight identity theft of this type: Purchase good virus protection and firewall software to block unwanted intruders from your computer.

A series of three-year surveys that ended in 2006 show that, while there has been a decrease in the number of victims of identity fraud, the cost rose to $56 billion dollars last year. More statistics show that:

The average time a victim takes to fight identity theft is 600 hours. 3/4 of victims who responded to the survey said that the crime involved someone getting their hands on a credit card. The impact of online identity theft and identity fraud is similar to that of violent crimes for the victims.

The problem of identity fraud is huge, the government have crunched some numbers, reporting that identity fraud has cost our economy a shocking 1.7 billion pounds.

1. Identity Theft: Almost 9 million people per year have their identities stolen in the US alone, with over 50 billion dollars stolen per year. This epidemic crime can be curbed dramatically by removing the physical documentation the thieves use to get their information, and shredding has been proven to be the best way to do this.
2. Credit Card Theft: Credit card numbers and even passwords can be taken from documents in the trash. Even papers torn by hand can be easily put back together. Many thieves and drug addicts frequent personal and business trash cans and dumpsters to find this kind of information. Shredding helps ensure that this won’t happen to you.
3. New Laws: A provision to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), requires destruction of any confidential employee information, even if you only have one employee such as a nanny or a handy man. You can open yourself up to lawsuits or even prosecution if you do not comply with these new privacy laws.
4. Recycling: Our environment is certainly a timely concern. But did you know that shredding actually facilitates recycling? As a matter of fact, you can actually be paid modestly by recycling companies for contributing to save the environment.
5. Peace of Mind: With so many risks involved in not destroying sensitive documents, buying a personal shredder is an easy call to make to give you assurance that your identity, privacy and money are secure. It’s a trend for a reason, and that’s because shredding works to help bring protection and security to the things most important to you.

A household or office shredder is becoming as necessary as a dishwasher or refrigerator in terms of household appliances. Nothing is more important in today’s age of identity theft and fraud, than protecting your identity and investment. The question is not really if you should purchase a shredder, but when.

Shredders are available in a variety of price ranges, with a variety of functions, including large and small capacities, space saving units, straight or the safer, cross-shredding system and even several lines of shredders that keep style in mind. It’s definitely not a “one-size-fits-all” industry, but one that conforms to the needs of consumers.

The market for shredders, including commercial and personal shredders tops $350 million a year, and growing. As the need for protection grows, so does this upward-moving industry. As a matter of fact, shredders are the fastest growing segment in the overall office products industry. From individuals to multi-national corporations, there are shredders to meet the needs of anyone seeking financial security. So find the right shredder for your needs and bring it to your home or office. It’s by far the best way to protect yourself and your family from the real dangers of theft and fraud.

No? You don’t need something to help with document destruction? Well, let’s take a look in that trash bag, shall we? There’s a phone bill with your number and address; a bank statement with your account number; a card from Aunt Rose with your birthday; and an official letter with your social security number. What do you think could happen if someone got their grubby little hands on all that personal information? Still think you don’t need a paper shredder?

Before you go running out to buy one though, you need to take a few things into consideration. All paper shredders are not created equally and they have varying levels of effectiveness when it comes to document destruction. You need to find a good balance between performance and price. Here’s a brief overview of the two main types of paper shredders:

As the name suggests, strip-cut paper shredders cut paper into neat, long strips. The thickness of the strips can vary from as little as 1/8 of an inch to as much as 1/2 an inch. Logically, it is better to strip the paper as thinly as possible for maximum security. These paper shredders are typically low maintenance and can handle a large amount of paper. Although difficult, it is possible for someone to piece those strips together enough to get some of your critical information.

Cross-cut paper shredders are quite good at document destruction since they slice paper both horizontally and vertically. It is very difficult to put the confetti-sized pieces back together and they compress better than long strips so there is less emptying involved. However, these paper shredders generally require more care, more maintenance and can be more expensive.

Whichever one you choose, remember that a very patient person can put together practically any shredded document. However, document destruction by means of paper shredders will greatly decrease the likelihood of anyone trying to steal your identity. I mean, would you prefer to rifle through someone’s trash and get intact documents or bags of seemingly worthless paper that would take forever to put together? Exactly. And that’s just what thieves are going to think too, especially when there are easier targets available. Invest in a paper shredder today. You won’t regret it.

It is amazing the amount of credit card applications, receipts, invoices and bills we receive in the mail on a daily basis. A lot of this “junk mail” gets thrown in the garbage without even a second glance. Some people even rip mail in half, thinking this is enough to prevent someone else using this information.

Garbage is an identity thief’s best friend. They love it. It literally takes seconds for a thief to rummage through your garbage and grab sensitive information. This could be from your garbage can sitting on the curb, a garbage can sitting next to a desk all the way to a dumpster behind a building.

Letters ripped in half can be easily taped back together. There are reported cases of credit card applications being taped back together, mailed in and approved!

The only sure way to be certain a thief doesn’t get their hands on your discarded mail is to shred it. Confetti-cut (cross-cut) documents are next to impossible to re-assemble. Most thieves want to take the easy path and won’t even bother trying to piece together shredded paper.

Higher security levels on shredders means the particles are cut smaller. Security level 4 to 6 shredders make it impossible to read information. Paper shredders range in size from a small shredder designed to shred letters to a high-end shredder designed to shred bins of paper. There is a shredder out there for you that will work for your needs.

Prices on paper shredders have dropped over the years. There is no longer a good excuse not to buy a paper shredder. Make sure your identity is safe and start shredding today!

There are a large number of paper shredders on the market. The two main types are strip cut and cross cut. Strip cut paper shredders slice the paper into thin vertical ribbons. They are good in many situations, but they are not recommended for people requiring maximum security. Cross cut paper shredders cut documents into tiny bits of paper that are nearly impossible to reassemble. Cross cut paper shredders are generally better than strip shredders for high security situations, but they are also more expensive.

Another thing to consider when buying a paper shredder is how much it will be used. Different paper shredders are built to handle different amounts of paper at a time and to operate for different lengths of time before needing a break. It is important not to use the paper shredder above the manufacturer’s recommendations; if they are overused or used improperly, they can burn out quickly.

Paper shredders can only be used for a certain amount of time before they need to be rested. The length of time depends on the particular shredder. Most instruction manuals that come with the shredders have this type of information. For example, some top of the line models can work for 10 to 12 minutes before needing to be turned off for 20 minutes. Other models can work for as little as two minutes at a time before needing to be turned off for four minutes.

Another feature that differs between types of paper shredders is the number of sheets that it can take at once. The “throat size,” or size of the opening where the paper is fed, varies between models. Some can handle up to 9 sheets at once, but most can take about 5. It is recommended that people feed a little less than the maximum in order to keep the machine working properly. Also, the dimensions of the opening need to be considered. It is better not to have to fold a sheet of paper in order to get it to fit into the shredder. Most shredders can accommodate sheets of paper around 9 inches long. This is good for nearly all types of paper, and also works for credit cards, checks, receipts, and other financial documents.

What makes identity theft so particularly heinous is the length of time and the amount of money it takes to clean up the damage that this type of fraud creates. Credit card companies and banks have created safeguards against identity theft and financial fraud, but they cannot do much to repair a person’s credit, reputation, and general state-of-mind after the fraud has taken place.

Most criminals gain access to an individual’s personal information by looking through the trash or by convincing a person to simply hand over their information, either through a phone or an email scam. Individuals who wish to avoid becoming the victims of identity theft should consider the following suggestions:

1. Shred your documents – a good strip-cut or cross-cut shredder can make it difficult for any criminal to gain access to any sensitive documents that have to be discarded. Today, there are even paper shredders available that have the ability to shred credit cards.
2. Check your credit file often – too many times, individuals are simply unaware that their identity has been stolen until it is too late. To avoid any problems, check your credit file often. Looks for any accounts or credit applications that look unfamiliar. Report any problems to the proper authorities immediately.
3. Keep track of your mail – individuals living in large housing complexes are more like to have their mail stolen than anyone else. If an important personal document is being mailed to you, consider having in mailed to a safer address, or if possible, arrange for a personal pick-up of the document. The Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Line is a good source for reporting any irregularities with your mail delivery.
4. Report address changes – any time you move or change addresses, report the change to your creditors, banks, and any other organization that you receive sensitive personal documents from.
5. Be careful with your credit cards – if you have to give out personal credit card information over the phone or online, be sure it is safe to do so. Make sure that online stores and sites are secure. Ensure that the area around you is also secure if you are providing your personal information over the phone or in public.
6. Do not carry any unnecessary documents on your person. Store them away in a safe place.
7. Report any lost or stolen documents to the proper authorities immediately.
8. Shred any personal documents before discarding them.
9. Keep track of your credit card statements and report any unfamiliar charges or transactions to the company immediately.