topic Re: Shredding question in Community Chat

Shredding question

ennui_too — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:00:29 GMT

Would you shred a stack of bank statements from 1996, or just toss them into the recycle bin? As far as I know, all of the accounts are closed.

I don't want to get hysterical over security, but maybe I should.

Shredding costs money.

Re: Shredding question

NoelSeven — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:02:06 GMT

Shred. I shred it all if it has any info on it, no matter how old.

Re: Shredding question

DoneTryin — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:03:17 GMT

I'd shred, but then I have a shredder. One of my credit unions offers a "shred" day several times a year so that members can take their documents in & have them shredded at the CU. Maybe your area banks and/or credit unions do the same.

Re: Shredding question

Cats3000 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:08:10 GMT

On 7/31/2014 ennui_too said:
Would you shred a stack of bank statements from 1996, or just toss them into the recycle bin? As far as I know, all of the accounts are closed.

I don't want to get hysterical over security, but maybe I should.

Shredding costs money.

If you don't "get hysterical over security", you're more than likely to get hysterical over the consequences of stolen information.

Shredding does cost money. However, it is far less than you could lose if someone steals information that allows them to access your accounts.

Bottom line: Shred old bank statements, old check you no longer need to keep, old tax returns you no longer need to keep, old credit card and debit card statements you no longer need to keep and anything else that can give someone any part of your identity.

Re: Shredding question

Mj12 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:09:43 GMT

Shred it all yourself.

Re: Shredding question

seattlegirl98026 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:16:47 GMT

I agree with everyone. Shred. As VCamp mentioned, lots of organizations have 'free shredding' days or if you can, you may want to invest in a home shredder.

Re: Shredding question

RoughDraft — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:23:10 GMT

Shred.

Re: Shredding question

------ — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:24:09 GMT

Shred, shred, shred!

If there's a Goodwill in your area they do certified document destruction for a small fee. The nice part is it provides work experience for people with disabilities.

Re: Shredding question

tansy — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:24:46 GMT

Buy a good shredder and use it.

Re: Shredding question

chickenbutt — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:27:59 GMT

I'd for sure shred, and only with a cross-cut shredder. Those old ones that make strips are a very bad idea. I think most people probably have a shredder these days, no? I wouldn't want to be without one.

Re: Shredding question

RoughDraft — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:29:51 GMT

You can buy a shredder starting from around $30. I've had the same cross cut shredder for years and prefer to do my own at home.

Re: Shredding question

sidsmom — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:32:09 GMT

You could just shred the portions showing your address, acct number, bar codes...and just recycle the rest.

Re: Shredding question

RedTop — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:36:00 GMT

We shred or burn everything with our name on it.

Re: Shredding question

gidgetgh — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:09:40 GMT

On 7/31/2014 tansy said: Buy a good shredder and use it.

Agree. We have a 16 sheet micro cut shredder that we got at Office Depot. We shred everything- bank statements, junk mail, most any paper. Our recycling center takes the shredded paper. We obviously don't shred paper napkins and anything used like that, but most all "office paper" we shred. Our shredder sits right next to our kitchen trash can so it's very convenient to use.

Re: Shredding question

ennui_too — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:11:48 GMT

I've never had a home shredder that didn't jam constantly, and/or overheat. Now I just bundle things up and pay someone.

Thanks, everyone.

Re: Shredding question

Marienkaefer2 — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:20:38 GMT

Another vote for shredding.

Re: Shredding question

Nannerbelles — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:22:28 GMT

I work at a bank, if you can take them to the bank, they should shred them for you if it is a one time deal.

Re: Shredding question

pattypeep — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 23:52:41 GMT

We shred all of that stuff. Actually, one year we participated in a credit union shredding day. We bought toiletries for the homeless and were allowed to bring two boxes of stuff to shred (while you watched). We got rid of all of our old bank statements that day. Otherwise, we shred most everything here at home. Better to be safe. Plus we are allowed to put the shredded material in our weed bin that gets recycled.

Re: Shredding question

Cakers1 — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:32:00 GMT

On 7/31/2014 ennui_too said:
I've never had a home shredder that didn't jam constantly, and/or overheat. Now I just bundle things up and pay someone.

Thanks, everyone.

Some shredders cannot handle too much at one time, so yes, they can overheat. Or if you are shredding harder material, like thin cardboard or even putting in too many items at once. Some won't handle credit cards although the newer ones do.

But a home cross-shredder is a necessity; you can still recycle the shredded material.

Re: Shredding question

glb613 — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:35:58 GMT

On 7/31/2014 ennui_too said:
I've never had a home shredder that didn't jam constantly, and/or overheat. Now I just bundle things up and pay someone.

Thanks, everyone.

You must have a cheap shredder. Perhaps it's best for you to pay someone to do it.