Why A Paper Shredder Keeps You Safe From Identity Theft

Research has shown how criminals are turning to identity theft, as it has quickly becoming the fastest growing crime in the United States. The key target of identity thieves is to get your name, address, phone number, social security number and any other account numbers possible. This information can then be used to open up other credit accounts in your good name after which these accounts are exploited in various ways. You are left with major bills and ruined credit.

To keep from falling into such a situation you can take pro active steps in safe guarding your documents containing personal information. You can start by carefully shredding documents that normally go into your trash. Let's look consider some of the facts, concerns, statistics, and methods that show that a paper shredder can keep you safe from identity theft.
Did you know that it is perfectly legal for individuals to go through your garbage? Dumpster diving, and curbside trash rummaging is quite legal. So throwing away any important papers with your name and address or any other info that can be linked to you should be shredded.

The cheaper shredders use the strip cutting method of shredding. This method will allow some of the more determined identity thieves to try to re-assemble these documents, and then retrieve the personal data. This method is so easy as sometime neatly bagged trash can be a treasure trove for a motivated thief. The more secure cross cut shredder reduces the shred waste to confetti which is nearly impossible to re-assemble. The next step would be to actually burn the documents and reduce them to ashes. But you don't have to go that far!

Paper shredders are on the front line of defense against identity theft. Identity thieves easily obtain personal paperwork discarded innocently into a trash dumpsters. However by using a security rated paper shredder even if the thief takes your trash bag it would be next to impossible for him to reassemble and make your document usable. This is a problem not only for consumers but has become an increasing menace to businesses of all sizes.

Some surveys state the incidence of identity theft now affects about one in four households. Although the average loss per victim is around $500 plus the valuable time loss trying to track down accounts and resolve problems caused by the crime.
Modern paper shredders were born in Germany in 1935. Adolf Ehinger devised a workable shredder after inquiries were made on him after anti Nazi documents were found in his trash. His crude shredder was inspired by a pasta maker. In the following years with WW II shredders continued to develop in to what we see today.

The value of a good home paper shredder is worth the headaches it could save you caused by identity theft. It's value will be recouped in no time even with average use. Also paper shredders with cross cutting blades and medium capacity are usually cheap and affordable. The cross cutting action will insure that your shred waste will be securely destroyed.
So if you haven't started shredding what are you waiting for? All indications show that identity theft is going to continue to increase. Don't be the next victim! Start shredding today!

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