Here are some documents that you should be shredding and why it’s important:
1. Junk mail
Junk mail comes in every day. Unfortunately, with so many data sources available to companies, your personal data may be included in those garbage mailers and credit card offers. Don’t toss the junk mail in the trash bin; shred it. Given merely your name, address, and a credit offer, someone could take out a line of credit in your name and spend money, leaving you on the hook. Junk mail should be shredded or, in the United States, you can opt out of junk mail and pre-screened credit offers through the Federal Trade Commission’s unsolicited mail page.
2. Medical prescription labels
Prescription labels contain private information, including your name, contact information, and doctor’s name. If not disposed of carefully, someone could use the information fraudulently to refill your prescriptions or get access to your healthcare information and medical background. So shred the paper documentation that comes with your prescriptions, and soak the empty bottles in water to remove the labels. Many pharmacies and recycling centers will accept used bottles.
3. Photos and old IDs
If you’re going through a box of old pictures, don’t just toss out the duplicates—shred them. Thieves can use your old pictures or IDs maliciously to fake their identity. When deciding what to shred, make sure your old pictures and identification are on the list.
4. Travel itineraries
Heading out for a vacation? Traveling on business? Don’t forget to shred your travel itineraries. When thieves are looking for ways to bill you out of money, they can use your travel itineraries to rebook flights and hotels or gain access to your accounts. Think about how someone could verify where you’ve been and when to “prove” identity. Best to be safe and securely shred your travel itineraries.
Boarding passes also contain more sensitive information than you likely realize. Those QR codes that are on your boarding passes may contain your personally identifiable information. While the airlines need to know who’s on the plane, identity thieves can leverage that data.
5. Shipping labels
That box that came with your new shoes? If it has a plastic pouch with an insert, like a receipt, an order form, or a confirmation, it likely has personally identifiable information. Double-check your boxes before you recycle or reuse them, pull out any shipping labels, inserts, or return labels, and make sure those get shredded too.
6. Memos and notes
What computer area doesn’t have a little pad of sticky notes next to it? Those handwritten notes are incredibly convenient, super easy to use, and likely contain personal information that you don’t want identity thieves to get their hands on. What was written when the doctor called? What was jotted down during that client call? Did you scribble any passwords while on a call with IT? To be safe, include those used notes on your shred list.
7. Resumes and CVs
Whether it’s your own resume or resumes submitted via employees or prospective candidates, it’s important to shred the paper copies. Because resumes often contain personal information, like telephone numbers, email and home addresses, and job or education history, identity theft is a potential risk. And for legal purposes, securely disposing of sensitive employee information is a requirement.
8. Bank statements and canceled checks
Even if they’re old statements, they should be shredded. Your name, address, phone number, and bank account information are in those statements, along with your habits, purchases, and banking history. Even if the account is closed, shred it anyway.
While many banks have moved to digital formats for canceled checks, if you have physical copies or reprints from your bank, shred them. They contain a lot of personally identifiable information that could put you at risk. Stop those canceled checks from posing a risk by having them shredded.