Fraud Prevention & The Importanc

Fraud Prevention and The Importance of Using a Shredder

Identity Theft and Credit Card Facts:

The fastest growing consumer fraud is identity fraud. This happens when a thief creates a "credit clone" of you using personal information.

It is easy for perpetrators to commit. They are seldom caught, and reversing the damage is difficult.

Obtaining Personal Information:

Any where that your name, social security number, telephone number and address appears can be easily obtained. Examples:

Personal checks
Driver's license
Bank statements
Credit card statements
Pay stubs - showing your income and employer
Paying bills - paying your credit card bill and writing your credit card number the check.

Protecting Yourself:

Buying a shredder is the best way to protect yourself from fraud. Shredders are very affordable and lightweight for home or personal use.

By shredding documents with your personal information on them you can ensure your financial safety.

Spybuster Tips

Shred all your waste paper, not just selected confidential items.
Use a crosscut shredder.
Make sure anyone with sensitive information about you shreds also.
Starting point: Your bank.
Encourage the destruction of all waste paper.
Purchase shredders appropriate to your needs.
Use crosscut destruction for high level of security.
Computer paperwork and large volume wastes require a central built shredder.

What Should Be Shredded? Examples of items criminal could use if not disposed of properly:

Address labels from junk mail and magazines	ATM receipts
Bank statements	Birth certificate copies
Canceled and voided checks	Credit and charge card bills, carbon copies, summaries and receipts
Credit reports and histories	Documents containing maiden name (used by credit card companies for security reasons)
Documents containing names, addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses	Documents relating to investments
Documents containing passwords or PIN numbers	Driver's licenses or items with a driver's license number
Employee pay stubs	Employment records
Expired passports and visas	Unlaminated identification cards (college IDs, state IDs, employee ID badges, military IDs)
Legal documents	Investment, stock and property transactions
Item with a signature (leases, contracts, letters)	Luggage tags
Medical and dental records	Papers with a Social Security number
Pre-approved credit card applications	Receipts with checking account numbers
Report cards	Résumés or curriculum vitae
Tax forms	Transcripts
Travel itineraries	Used airline tickets
Utility bills (telephone, gas, electric, water, cable TV, Internet) Go to Shredder Index

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