Each time you receive actual paper documents, it raises the big question: What should I do with this paperwork?
All of the documents have their lifespans for when you need to keep them handy. But once that time has come and gone, it’s wise to shred those documents as this is a potential threat to your identity.
You may even be surprised that just because you throw a document away doesn’t mean you’re fully protected. Your trash can yield a significant amount of private information about you, and this is the reason why you need to shred them.
Remember, keeping all the documents for seven years is not always the case. Some records should be destroyed much sooner, while others should not be destroyed at all.
Documents to Destroy Immediately:
Shred all credit card offers along with mail offers you receive to prevent fraudsters from opening accounts under your name.
Shred all documents after you make a credit card or utility payment.
If you have a warranty certificate then keep that, but other receipts, such as ATMs and gas receipts should be shredded right away.
Documents to Shred Within a Year:
Hold onto your bank statements, pay stubs, and paid medical bills for up to a year. That allows you to dispute anything that may be wrong. After that, send them to the shredder.
Documents to Shred After Seven Years:
Many important documents have expiration dates to ensure they are up to date. Once those expire, then you should shred them and have an updated version:
- passports (depends on the expiration date)
- driver’s licenses
- birth certificate copies
- insurance policies
Do Not Shred the Following:
Some documents are permanent records, meaning you should never shred or discard them. Keep these specific documents secure in safe deposit boxes, fire-proof safes, or locked file cabinets.
- Birth certificates or adoption papers
- Social Security cards
- Citizenship papers or passports
- Marriage or divorce orders
- Death certificates of family members
- Auto titles and home deeds for as long as you own the property
ATI offers the convenience of a pick-up or drop-off service.
For a residential shredding pick-up, simply call our office to schedule a convenient time to pick and shred your records.