Paper Shredder Choices;Cross cut paper shredders and more

You should use a paper shredder or a paper shredder service to safely destroy your documents. Whether you are in business or not shredding all documents, which contain personal information, is necessary. My identity was stolen by a person who removed a pre-approved credit card application from my trash. I then spent seven years trying to straighten out my credit. It has been ten years and I still carry with me documentation. Your trashcan is the greatest resource thieves have for stealing your financial identity. Every time you discard anything that contains any private information, you are at risk of it falling into undesirable hands.

If you don't own a paper shredder, they can be purchased almost anywhere from your local office supply store, department store or discount retailer. The Internet has vast websites where you can also purchase a paper shredder. Paper shredders range in price from approximately $20 for personal models, to hundreds of dollars for an industrial model.

Until the 70's no one had heard of paper shredders

Up until the Watergate scandal in the 1970s the average individual hadn't heard of a paper shredder, also referred to as a document shredder. Many professionals had heard of them, but didn't consider them a necessary piece of office equipment. However, today with the raising concerns of identity thief, many people not only recognize the value of shredding all personal and financial documents, but paper shredders are view as a vital piece of office equipment.

In fact, it is against many state and federal laws and regulations to simply toss personal and financial documents into the garbage can. Discarding proprietary data, which has not be properly shredded or securely destroyed, can place your business at risk of criminal and civil prosecution. Thieves can remove improperly discarded documents and use the information to steal someone's identity. Items such as credit card applications, bills, and any membership application that are mailed to your home, should be shredded, not simply tossed in the trash. Take it from someone who has had her identity stolen.

This months featured articles:

The Benefits of Paper Shredders
Paper shredders are used by dentists, doctors, and psychologists to protect their clients' private medical information.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Paper Shredder

Easy Tips for De-Cluttering and Organizing Your Office
Some simple tips for organizing your work environment include having a master to-do list at your desk that you update daily.

Industrial paper shredders

An industrial paper shredder is considerable expensive and it is recommended that you compare models to determine which the best for you or your business. Good research is recommended for all paper shredder to find the best paper shredder to meet your needs.

If your business does not have space for a shredder then a paper shredder service may the perfect solution for you. However, ensure that you choose one that can handle confidential documents marked for destruction. Over a period of time, most recommend a six-month period, to see exactly how much paper you need to shred. This will give you an idea of which option would be best for your company.

Federal Trade Commission Disposal Rule
On June 1, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) created a new rule stating that individuals and businesses must dispose of consumer information properly.

Protecting Vital Information with Document Shredders
Document security has become an important issue, and document shredding along with it.

Helping you find the best paper shredder for your office