Skip to content
1st Source Bank Logo 1st Source Sign In
  • Personal
    • Personal Home
    • Banking
      • Online & Mobile
      • Checking Accounts
      • Savings Accounts
      • Credit Cards
    • Borrowing
      • Personal Loans
      • Home Loans/Mortgage
      • Auto Loans
      • Loan Calculators
    • Planning
      • Certificates of Deposit
      • Wealth Management
      • Insurance
      • Investing
    • Help & Support
      • LEARN MORE
        • Help Articles
        • Advice Articles
        • FAQ
        • Personal Calculators
      • GET IN TOUCH
        • Talk With Someone: (574) 235-2000
        • Toll Free: (800) 513-2360
  • Business
    • Business Home
    • Banking
      • Online & Mobile
      • Business Checking Accounts
      • Business Savings Accounts
      • Business Credit Cards
    • Borrowing
      • Business Loans
      • Business Leasing
      • Industry Loans
    • Services
      • Treasury Services
      • Retirement Plan Services
      • Insurance
      • Merchant Card Services
      • Succession Planning
      • Small Business Banking
    • Help & Support
      • LEARN MORE
        • Help Articles
        • Advice Articles
        • FAQ
        • Business Calculators
      • GET IN TOUCH
        • Business Banking Online Support: (800) 399-5592
        • General Guidance: (574) 235-2003
  • You 1st
    • You 1st Home
    • Financial Education
    • Advice
    • Calculators
    • Community
  • Locations
  • About
  • Contact
  • Search
Sign In
Advice

Shred Your Worries Away: The Easy Way to Fight Identity Theft

Share:

Facebook Icon Facebook Twitter Icon Twitter Linkedin Icon Linkedin
Hand inserting paper into a paper shredder to prevent identity theft

Do you ever wonder what happens to those old bank statements or credit card offers you toss in the trash? If you’re like most people, you might not give it a second thought. But what if I told you those seemingly harmless pieces of paper are putting you at risk of identity theft?

Believe it or not, those paper bank statements and credit card offers are prime targets for identity thieves. Whether it’s rummaging through your trash or stealing your mail, they’ll stop at nothing to get what they want. And once they have your personal information, they can use it to open accounts, make purchases, and even commit crimes in your name. Scary, right?

Picture this: a shady figure lurking around trash bins, scavenging for treasure. But instead of gold coins, they’re after something far more valuable – your personal information. Yep, we’re talking about dumpster diving, where sneaky identity thieves dig through trash bins in search of discarded documents. Think old bank statements, credit card offers, or utility bills – stuff you might toss without a second thought. They snatch up these papers and use them to wreak havoc. They open fake accounts, splurge on shopping sprees, and leave you responsible. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable paper documents can be, and why it’s crucial to shred them properly.

But fear not! Document shredding is here to save the day. By shredding your sensitive documents, you’re making it virtually impossible for thieves to piece them back together. It’s like a puzzle with missing pieces – except in this case, the missing pieces are your personal information. Tear your documents into tiny, unreadable pieces that even the most determined thief couldn’t decipher.

And for small businesses, document shredding isn’t just a good practice – it’s a priority. Imagine this: you’ve got stacks of customer documents piling up in your office, from invoices to contracts and everything in between. Whether it’s a disgruntled employee, a nosy competitor, or even just a passerby with sticky fingers, losing them would be disastrous. From theft and fraud to legal liabilities and reputational damage, the risks are real and far-reaching. That’s why proper disposal of customer documents through shredding is non-negotiable. It’s not just about protecting sensitive information; it’s about protecting your business, your customers, and your reputation.

Now that we’ve covered the importance of shredding, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of doing it right. Whether you’re flying solo or running a business, the first step is to figure out what needs to go through the shredder and when. Hint: anything with personal info, like bank statements or medical records, is a definite shredder candidate – don’t just toss them in the trash! And when it comes to picking out your shredder, aim for one with cross-cutting to amp up your security game.

The key to effective shredding is consistency. Make it a habit to shred your documents as soon as you’re done with them, rather than letting them pile up. Set up a designated shredding area in your home or office to make the process quick and easy. And don’t forget to involve your family members – after all, protecting your identity is a team effort!

Identity theft may be scary, but with document shredding on your side, you can shred your worries away. Take proactive steps to protect your sensitive information, and you’ll safeguard yourself against fraud and theft. So invest in a quality shredder, establish a shredding routine, and rest easy knowing your identity is safe and secure. After all, when it comes to identity theft prevention, there’s no such thing as being too cautious.

  • Security · Dec 3rd, 2024 Fraud Attempts Spike During the Holiday Season
  • Online/Mobile Banking · Nov 11th, 2024 Black Friday Online Shopping Tips
  • Security · Nov 11th, 2024 Online Shopping and ID Theft Scams
  • About 1st Source
  • Careers
  • Investor Relations
  • 1st Source Foundation
  • News
  • Community
  • Help & Support
  • FAQ
  • Report Fraud
  • Security
  • Get In Touch
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • 1st Source Bank Routing Number
  • 071212128
  • Facebook Icon Facebook
  • Twitter Icon Twitter
  • Linkedin Icon Linkedin
  • Youtube Icon Youtube
  • Instagram Icon Instagram
Member FDIC, Equal Opportunity graphics
  • Privacy
  • Disclosures
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility

2025 © 1st Source Bank. All rights reserved.

We use cookies and tracking technologies to enhance performance, improve functionality, and advertise. The data shared with marketing platforms through these technologies does NOT include financial information. For more details, see our Online Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.I understand