For example, you can shred any car titles for vehicles you no longer own (but should keep them while you’re driving the car). In some cases, you’ll want to keep important documents until a specific event has passed. Shred once the item is sold or the issue is resolved: Investment records (shred seven years after you’ve sold the securities or closed the investment account).Tax-related documents such as canceled checks.Old versions of your Social Security statements, insurance policy statements, and retirement plan statements.Bills you’ve kept for tax or warranty purposes.Undisputed medical bills (that have been paid).Bank account statements and anything with banking account information.Pay stubs (after checking them against your W-2).Shred any documents that contain information about children or the deceased - especially Social Security numbers. Child identity theft is on the rise while the identities of more than 2 million deceased Americans are used to apply for loans, file taxes, and open credit card accounts every year. That’s more than enough for them to steal your identity or apply for benefits in your name. Unused resumes can provide scammers with your contact information and employment history. These contain your name and address, which criminals can use for a change-of-address scam.
#Privacy guard shredders free
If you get a free return label with a package, shred it. Store any major vet documents in a secure location and be sure to shred the rest. One in three pet owners in America have used their pet’s name as a password. Criminals can use the label stapled to your Rx bag or on the bottle to commit medical identity theft and steal your healthcare benefits. Also, be sure not to post photos of your boarding pass to social media. As soon as you land, destroy your boarding pass as it contains your name, travel itinerary, and a barcode that can reveal your frequent-flier number and other sensitive information. There are other less obvious documents that you should be sure to shred as soon as possible, including: But they’re not the only ones that need to be shredded. Old driver’s licenses, credit cards, and IDsĪll of these documents contain personal information that a criminal could use for identity theft.Documents with a signature that you no longer need.Unwanted credit card applications or pre-approved cards.Here’s a guide on what documents to shred now, in the near future, or never. But there are different rules and guidelines to follow based on the types of document, their uses, and even laws and regulations. The majority of your sensitive mail and personal documents should be either shredded or securely stored. What Documents Should You Always Shred (and When)?
Watch: How one man lost over $93,000 after a check was stolen from his mailbox →Ĭheck to see if your sensitive information has been leaked to the Dark Web using Identity Guard’s free Dark Web scanner. A credit card statement, lost or stolen ID, or discarded job application can give them access to your financial or personal accounts.īut while many criminals have moved their scams online, many still steal mail and sensitive documents.
Identity thieves need less information than you’d think to steal your identity. Why Do You Need to Shred Mail, Bills, and Documents?
#Privacy guard shredders how to
In this guide, we’ll explain what documents you should shred, which ones to keep (and for how long), and how to secure your sensitive documents and mail from criminals. With these documents they can take out loans in your name, steal your medical benefits, and commit all types of identity theft.īut what documents need to be shredded and destroyed? And when? Your bills, account statements, and even junk mail can be a goldmine for identity thieves. While most Americans only think about shredding documents during tax season, a healthy shredding schedule can be one of the easiest ways to prevent identity theft.
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