Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes. When you throw something in the trash or place it in the recycling bin, it becomes available to any thief searching for ways to steal your identity. Moreover, the Supreme Court, in the decision California vs. Greenwood, stated that the “expectation of privacy in trash left for collection in an area accessible to the public… is unreasonable.”

What documents should you shred? Anything that contains account numbers, social security numbers, and all other personal information should be shredded. Some examples include:

• ATM receipts
• Birth certificate copies
• Canceled and voided checks
• Bank statements
• Employment records, paystubs and résumés
• ID cards and any documents with driver’s license numbers
• Credit card bills and receipts
• Travel documents and itineraries

Remember to make shredding a regular habit. It’s fundamental to protecting your identity!