April 16, 2010
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News: Idaho BBB Having A Shredding Party
The Idaho Better Business Bureau (BBB) means business as it takes aim at credit card and identity thieves. The agency is having a paper shredding day as it prepares to help consumers shred all important papers as well as those unsolicited credit card mail offers. The BBB’s annual Secure Your ID Day will take place this weekend from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 17th. The event will take place at the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) headquarters where consumers can have a paper party with credit card statements as well as any other document they deem important that needs shredding. The ITD headquarters are located at 3311 W. State St., Boise, Idaho. Each individuals may bring up to three boxes of paper they would like shredded free of charge.
The BBB suggest individuals shred any paper that has their name, address, bank account names, or credit card company name including cancelled or new checks, payroll check stubs, bank account statements, tax or insurance statements or related papers. Most consumers are confused regarding the length of time they should keep copies of old bank statements and tax returns among other documents. The BBB others these guidelines:
- Pay stubs and canceled personal checks: One year unless needed for tax, warranty, or insurance purposes.
- Credit card, debit card and ATM receipts: Shred immediately after checking the transactions against your monthly statements.
- Store receipts: Keep until no longer needed for returns, exchanges, warranties or tax purposes.
- W-2s and 1099s: Destroy after three years.
- Tax returns: Permanently.
If you are serious about protecting your identity and credit cards from fraud, making every effort to shred all possible links is the safest beginning. Dale Dixon, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon feels monitoring your credit report and considering putting a freeze on your file will also be of great value in deterring thieves. Of course, online shopping is also a major source of fraud. You should take extra precautions while shopping online and use a virtual card whenever possible.