According to a recent fraud study, it was determined that nearly $16 billion was stolen last year as a result of identity fraud. So yes, you are right to be concerned about the same which is why you may want to review some of the shredding options posted below which should help protect both you and your assets from any similar identity theft. Just search online for onsite shredding services near me and that should help list all the local vendors who provide specialized shredding services but before that, do check out the tips posted below.
Shred all Primary Documents: After storing all the valuable documentation safely, you may want to shred all the other primary documents, especially the ones that list your name and address on the front. Make sure that you use a cross type shredder, the sort that cuts up your documents into tiny shreds and pieces so that the same cannot be re-assembled.
Secondary Documents: Chances are that you still have those old ATM receipts, utility bills statements and rest lying around – these are generally tagged as secondary documents and they need to be shredded as well. Most identity thefts occur because valuable information was often sourced directly from secondary documents such as these which is why you need to dispose of the same, to prevent any occurrence of identity theft.
Electronic: Whether it is a hard drive or a CD, you can still shred the same, both physically as well as by using various free tools to do the same. Just deleting the information from your system by hitting the delete button is not going to do much since criminals can still mine the same for data. This is why you need to reformat the same, use specialized tools to make sure that all information is deleted. In addition, you can use some of the local vendors for shredding all electronic devices to safeguard your information.
Use less Paper: This is why it makes good sense to opt for less paper so that since most of your data can be stored electronically. Moreover, using less paper should help prevent any identity theft and help safeguard your information.
Burn it: If you are not into shredding, then you can always burn your documents. But the catch is that you need to make sure all documentation is destroyed and this can take hours depending on the load. This is why shredding is both a cost effective and efficient option when it comes to preventing identity theft.
These are some of the tips that you need to implement to prevent identity theft and protect your assets. Just check online for vendors who provide both mobile and on-site shredding services, and after carrying out a due diligence on your part, choose the firm that looks to be a good fit. It is essential that you double check the credentials of the vendor to make sure that the vendor in question is both reliable and can be depended on to provide you with the services you require, in the long run.