Is your trash putting your identity at risk? It’s a question that many people don’t think about, but the fact is that criminals only need a small amount of your personal information to steal your identity. With basic information like your birth date, social insurance number, and your name as a starting point, criminals can impersonate you to commit a range of crimes – from financial fraud to abuse of government programs.
In this article, we will discuss signs of identity theft and how you can avoid being a victim of a dumpster diver. We’ll also look at paper shredding services and why it’s important to destroy sensitive documents before throwing them away.
Signs You Might Be A Victim Of Identity Theft
So, what are some signs that your identity might have been stolen? One of the most common is receiving bills or other correspondence for services you didn’t sign up for. This can be a red flag that someone has used your personal information to open new accounts in your name. Watch out for sudden changes in your credit score. If you see a drop in your score without any explanation, it could mean someone has taken out a loan or opened a new line of credit using your information. If you are contacted by a collection agency informing you that they are collecting for a defaulted account in your name that you never opened.
If you think you might be a victim of identity theft, you should first contact the credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your file. This will make it more difficult for criminals to open new accounts in your name. You should also contact your financial institutions and let them know what’s happened. They may be able to help you protect your accounts and resolve any fraudulent activity.
What To Do If You Are A Victim Of Identity Theft
- Contact your bank – Your bank will take the appropriate steps to help prevent fraud. These steps could include canceling and reissuing credit or debit cards, investigating and reversing fraudulent transactions, and providing further advice
- Contact local police – Contact your local police force and file a report about the fraud.
- Put a fraud alert on your credit files – Credit bureau companies can also put a fraud alert on your credit files. With this fraud alert, creditors that have viewed your credit report will have to contact you before extending credit. This can help prevent someone else from taking out a loan or credit card in your name.
Shred Your Sensitive Documents
Paper shredding is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft. By shredding sensitive documents before you throw them away, you make it much harder for criminals to access your personal information. Document shredding services can be a great way to ensure that all your important documents are properly destroyed.
What Document Do I Need To Shred?
If you’re unsure whether or not you need to shred a particular document, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Any copies that include your personal information, such as your social insurance number or bank account number, should be shredded before it’s thrown away. You should also shred documents containing sensitive financial information, like credit card statements or tax returns. Don’t simply throw away junk mail. Pre-approved credit card offers could make it possible for a fraudster to start a fake account in your name. Lastly, Shred old prescriptions, health insurance forms, and medical records.
Paper shredding is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft, so if you’re not already using a paper shredding service, now is the time to start. Document shredding services can help you destroy sensitive documents quickly and easily, so you can rest assured that your personal information is safe.
On-Site Shredding
If you’re looking for a paper shredding service, you should keep a few things in mind. First, make sure that the service offers on-site shredding. This means your documents will be destroyed at your home or office rather than being taken off-site to shredded. This is the most secure option, ensuring that your documents will never leave your sight.
NAID AAA Certification
Before you shred your confidential documents, verify that the paper shredding service you choose is certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). This certification guarantees that the service meets strict industry standards for document destruction.
When protecting your identity, paper shredding is one of the best tools at your disposal. Using a paper shredding service, you can rest assured that your sensitive documents will be destroyed properly and thoroughly. So if you’re not already using a paper shredding service, now is the time to start!
ATI SecureDocs provides paper shredding services to central and south Texas clients, including Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco. Contact us today to learn about our shredding services and get a quote!