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Tax season is over and a lot of us have papers floating around with personal information that we don’t want to get into the wrong hands. If you are like me you pushed the wrong button and have three copies of the same page… My biggest tip for you is to get a shredder you can trust to take care of those documents (even old credit cards)! According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), the percentage of tax-related identity theft cases has more than doubled over the last five years. That’s just scary.
One of the best ways to prevent identity theft is by shredding no-longer-needed tax documents that contain sensitive information. Fellowes’ 73Ci, which is available at office superstores and online counterparts, offers innovative technologies and features perfect for tax time including:
Cross-Cut blades that destroy 12 sheets of paper into approximately 397 particles per sheet, making it extremely difficult to reassemble
100% Jam Proof System that eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs
SafeSense technology which automatically stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening
Tax day has passed this year, but Fellowes offered us some important advice to avoid tax-related identity theft in the years to come.
1. File your taxes as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more time a thief has to file a return for you.
2. Shred all no-longer-needed tax-related documents that contain sensitive information with a cross-cut shredder. Documents include receipts, W2 forms and tax preparer invoices. Keep in mind you need to hold on to some documents past this year. Read the IRS guidelines.
3. Protect your computers and mobile devices with firewalls, anti-virus software and complex passwords.
4. Don’t carry your Social Security card or any other documents with your Social Security number with you. (This is huge! Ours are kept with our passports in a safe place. You don’t need it on a regular basis).
5. Order a copy of your free annual credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. Stagger these requests throughout the year.
Fellowes sent me a shredder last year and we have been nothing but pleased with it. My 6-year-old likes to give me regular pieces of paper to shred just so she can watch it get shredded to pieces. The fact that she’s so fascinated by it makes me thankful for the SafeSense Technology so her little fingers stay safe and sound.
Have any of you used shredded paper as party confetti?
The Giveaway:
Leave a comment below telling me what the most important feature in a shredder is to you.
The winner of this giveaway will be chosen 5/5.
