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Let her rip and protect yourself at the same time: PAPER SHREDDERS

I recently wrote a blog on personal safety. I think it's also worthy to mention the safety of your identity. I hope everyone out there has a paper shredder.

Shred anything that can potentially be used to steal your identity, don't just throw it away. Bank and credit card statements and anything that has private information on it is obvious. But also shred credit card applications. I knew someone who had a credit card taken out in their name from a stolen credit card application.. you know, those annoying ones you get in the mail just about everyday: "Get 0% until 2009!" Someone can fill that out as if they're you, so make sure and shred them.

Also, really consider what kind of shredder you want to buy. My first one only handled about 2-pages at a time and had a very small waste bin. I had to buy another one that shreds 10-15 pages at a time and has a large waste bin, you may need an even larger one depending on your needs. Also, I would recommend a cross-section shredder. It shreds in two directions to make it even more difficult for anyone to read the information.

I hope you already knew this information, and if not, buy a paper shredder today. Also, remind a friend today just in case they hadn't thought of it.

Posted by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector on 11/01/2007 08:45 AM

Comments (6)

identity, safety, identity theft, paper shredders

Post is included in group: Christianity and Real Estate

6 Comments on Let her rip and protect yourself at the same time: PAPER SHREDDERS

Crosscut shredders are ideal for this purpose. Prices for them seem to be coming down lately.

11/01/2007 08:53 AM

by Madeline Island Realty - Eric Kodner Sells Madeline Island

Thanks Eric, crosscut is the correct word, I wrote "cross-section".

11/01/2007 08:54 AM

by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

Thanks for reminding me of this. I have a 1 pager at the moment - rather slow.

If one has a home office then they will need a shredder anyway - esp for all those client documents that are old or no longer vaild.

11/01/2007 09:39 AM

by Matthew Rosov, Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (Amerisave Mortgage Corporation)

Really great tips, I've had a shredder for as long as I can remember (a cross shredder too). Anyone that doesn't have one in my opinion isn't to bright, I mean everyone gets credit card applications and in this day and age identity theft is a real pain. Great post.

11/01/2007 05:51 PM

by Stephen Joos & Chris Brubaker- HouseFront (HouseFront)

I have a shredder........

It pays to be wise!!

I have heard gorror stories about people who have had crap stolen from them from other rumaging in thier trash...

=-)

11/01/2007 09:43 PM

by Central / Orlando Florida real estate - Alexander Harb PSEM®, E-Agent® (Beach and Luxury Realty Inc.)

Great reminder. I became lax on shredding, but after someone tried to charge on my credit card I shred everything.

11/02/2007 05:19 PM

by Debbie Malone, Realtor (R), Lynchburg, Smith Mountain Lake, VA (RE/MAX 1st Olympic)

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