I was talking with one of my neighbors when they told me that people had been observed in Manorwood going through the recycling bins.  It occurred to us both that the only reason people would be interested in what was in the recycling bins would be if they were looking for personal information, in order to steal identities.

It seems that every day there are more reports of identity theft. What we throw away in our recycling bin may be just what the identity thief is looking for.

For example, occasionally credit card companies will include a blank check in their credit card statement, to enable their customers to get cash advances simply by filling out the check and cashing it. The check is usually at the end of the statement along with some uninteresting verbiage, and is easy to overlook.  If you happen to throw that check away and along with it a sample of your signature, you may have given an identity thief an early Christmas present.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, perhaps it is time to think about getting one.

[1] Drawbacks – (1) You have got to discipline yourself to take the time to shred documents.  (2)  Shredded paper can no longer be recycled, it must be put in a sealed bag before it is put in the garbage.

[2] Positives – You may just save yourself a LOT of grief (but if you do you’ll probably never know that you escaped the crooks).