If you or someone you love is a senior citizen, they are at an increased risk of identity theft. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over ten million people over the age of 50 became victims of identity theft in 2018 alone, accounting for more than 43% of total victims.
Luckily, there are many ways to protect your identity and information from those who wish to steal it. One of the easiest prevention methods is simply to shred unwanted documents that state any of your private information. Shredding sensitive documents regularly ensures that your information stays private and out of the hands of those who could use it against you.
Why shred documents?
In such a digital age, it may seem unnecessary to shred unwanted documents rather than simply throw them away. While it may be surprising, most identity theft and fraud starts with physical documents that have been disposed of carelessly. Thieves will root through recycling bins and trash cans for discarded mail and other documents to collect as much information as they can.
Any document that includes personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, phone number, or other details can be used by thieves to impersonate you and steal your identity. By shredding such documents, you can completely eliminate the threat of identity theft via physical documents.
Which Documents to Shred
There are several methods of document shredding that you can use to prevent identity theft, but the first step to each of them is to decide which documents need to be shredded. Some shreddable documents include:
- Credit card receipts
- Earnings statements
- Canceled checks
- Medical bills
- Insurance policies
- Utility bills
- Pre-approved credit card offers
While these may be some of your most sensitive documents, any document that includes your personal information should be shredded in order to ensure you are protected from identity theft.
How to Shred Documents
The most effective way to shred sensitive documents is to hire a reputable company that specializes in paper destruction, such as Atlantic Shredding. Atlantic Shredding offers a variety of shredding services to choose from, any of which will ensure your private information never falls into the wrong hands.
For one-time or periodic shredding services, Atlantic Shredding offers purge shredding for your convenience. No matter how much paper you need to shred, it will be picked up and destroyed securely and effectively. If you regularly find yourself with a lot of documents to dispose of, you can opt for scheduled paper shreddings that occur on a weekly or monthly basis.
While senior citizens are at the greatest risk of identity theft, it can affect victims of any age. Get a free quote today and start protecting yourself and your loved ones from identity theft.