Top 20 Documents You Should Always Shred to Prevent Identity Theft
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S., and it’s easier to fall victim than most people realize. Criminals are constantly on the lookout for personal information they can use to open accounts, file false tax returns, apply for credit cards, or even steal medical services — all in your name.
At MicroShred, we know that secure document destruction is one of the most effective ways to protect your sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
Whether you’re an individual cleaning out a home office or a business managing confidential data, here are the top 20 things you should always shred before disposal.
🔒 1. Financial Records
Bank statements, loan documents, and investment papers contain sensitive account details that can lead to unauthorized access.
💽 2. Magnetic Media
Old tapes, CDs, DVDs, and hard drives may hold confidential files, even after deletion. Always shred or destroy electronic media properly.
💰 3. Payroll Records
Pay stubs and employee payment details are gold for thieves seeking to commit financial fraud or impersonation.
📑 4. Legal Documents
Legal papers often include names, addresses, signatures, and other personal identifiers that could be misused.
📂 5. Account Records
Billing statements, membership information, and utility records contain names, addresses, and account numbers.
🏥 6. Medical Records
Health records contain protected health information (PHI) and insurance details — both valuable to identity thieves.
📚 7. Class Rosters
Especially for schools and institutions — these include names, contact info, and possibly birthdates of students or staff.
🗺 8. Maps and Blueprints
Facility layouts or building plans can be exploited for security breaches or theft planning.
💡 9. New Product Proposals
Don’t let your intellectual property fall into the wrong hands. Protect business innovation with proper shredding.
📦 10. Inventory Lists
Detailed inventory reports could guide thieves to what’s valuable and where to find it.
📬 11. Confidential Correspondence
Letters, memos, or emails (printed) may include sensitive information or discussions meant to remain private.
📇 12. Customer Lists and Estimates
Business customer databases and estimates can be exploited for targeted scams or competitor advantage.
🧾 13. Tax Records
Tax returns, W-2s, and 1099s contain full legal names, SSNs, income history, and other critical data. Keep for 7 years, then shred.
🏢 14. Outdated Business Records
Old vendor agreements, internal reports, and obsolete business data should never be trashed whole.
🧾 15. Invoices
Invoices can reveal customer data, pricing structures, and order history — all valuable to a fraudster or competitor.
🏦 16. Canceled Checks
Old checks reveal routing and account numbers. A forgery risk even years later.
💲 17. Price Lists
Protect your business margins and competitive strategies by shredding internal pricing information.
🖨 18. Microfilm and Microfiche
Outdated but still in circulation — these storage methods may hold legacy data and records that require destruction.
💳 19. Expired Credit Cards and IDs
Never toss expired cards. Shred or destroy them to prevent physical or digital cloning.
🗑 20. Junk Mail with Personal Info
Pre-approved credit offers, magazine labels, or insurance mailers often contain names, addresses, and sometimes barcodes tied to your data. Always shred.
Why Shredding Matters
Tossing documents in the trash — even torn in half — isn’t enough to protect you. Identity thieves regularly search through dumpsters, especially outside offices and residential neighborhoods, to gather discarded information. Proper shredding eliminates this risk and ensures your documents are destroyed beyond recognition.
Choose MicroShred for Safe, Secure Document Destruction
At MicroShred, we offer on-site and off-site shredding services for individuals and businesses across South Florida. Whether you need a one-time purge or ongoing document destruction, we provide:
✅ Mobile shredding trucks that come to your location
✅ Secure shredding of paper and electronic media
✅ Bonded, background-checked professionals
✅ A Certificate of Destruction for every service
✅ 100% recycling of shredded materials
📞 Call MicroShred today at (305) 999-9254 or 📧 [email protected] to schedule your secure shredding service and protect yourself or your business from identity theft.