Why Shred?

Picture this:

  • All the money in your checking or savings account is gone
  • You receive bills from credit cards you don't own and never applied for
  • Bad credit prevents you from securing a loan or getting a job
You are a victim of identity theft. Using your personal information, a thief has created a "credit clone" of you. Identity theft is the nation's fastest growing type of consumer fraud. It is easy to commit, reversing the damage is difficult and perpetrators are seldom caught. It is up to you to protect yourself.
 

How does a stranger get access to my personal information?

Very easily. Just think about where your name, address, telephone number and possibly social security number appear:
  • Personal checks
  • Driver's license
  • Bank statement
  • Credit card statements
When you pay your credit card bill, do you put your credit card number on the check?
 
How about your pay stub? It provides information about your employer and your income.
 

How do I protect myself?

Buy a shredder. To ensure your financial safety and keep your personal information secure, shred documents before you discard them. Fortunately, in recent years paper shredders for the home have become more readily available and very affordable. In fact, the GBC Shredmaster Confidential costs less than $20 and weighs only two pounds!