eeping your identity safe may be as easy as watching personal documents get carved up into confetti-sized bits.
Experts say using a simple paper shredder from an office supply store can greatly reduce the chances of identity theft.
Washington state had 66 cases of identity theft per 100,000 people in 2002, eighth highest in the nation, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And the theft rate is predicted to continue to rise.
Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes using your name.
Criminals can obtain personal information from home paperwork such as credit card bills, medical statements or debit receipts.
Consumer Reports magazine tested several personal paper shredders from office supply stores and recommended cross-cut styles because they provide maximum security. The magazine said consumers should expect to pay at least $40 for a good machine.
Cross-cut shredders slice the paper in two directions, creating smaller pieces harder for dumpster-diving thieves to piece back together. Another option that is cheaper and less secure is a straight-cut shredder creating long, thin strips.
The cost for a cross-cut shredder can increase with options and capabilities such as a higher paper volume, less maintenance, shorter “cool down” period, size of paper the device can handle, a reverse function and built-in waste collection.
Sales of paper shredders have increased lately, said Allana Lanier, an employee at Office Max in Everett.
“These things fly off the shelves during tax season,” Lanier said. “But selling shredders isn’t that hard with all the identity theft issues in the news.”
She said they try to let customers know that cross-cut shredders provide the most security, but “people are often looking for the cheapest thing.”
Personal home shredders range from $20 to a $500 device that shreds important documents into 5/32 by 11/4-inch pieces, including staples and small paper clips. The smaller the pieces, the higher the cost and the harder to put the puzzle back together.
Most office supply stores even allow you to test different shredders at the store.
Everett police Sgt. Boyd Bryant agreed the cross-cut style shredder is best because of the smaller pieces it produces.
“The difference is if someone is really tenacious they can put it together if it is cut from a strip-style shredder,” Bryant said.
The effort of piecing together the bits of paper left from a cross-cut shredder is usually enough to thwart someone from committing identity theft, according to the San Diego-based Identity Theft Resource Center.
About 15 million shredders are expected to be sold in the United States this year, up from 10 million last year, said Jay Foley, a co-executive director at the Identity Theft Resource Center.
“People have no idea of the quantity of mail that comes into the home needing to be shredded,” Foley said. “This includes every pre-approved credit card application.”
Foley said doing your part in shredding personal identifiable material is great, but a large quantity of personal information is also out of most people’s control.
“If your doctor doesn’t use a shredder – even an insurance company, banker or the county – there’s just another way to get your information,” he said.
While the threat will seemingly always be out there, shredding personal documents can be the first step in keeping identity thieves from getting your information, Foley said.
And if someone gets a hold of your info?
“It’s not going to be a pleasant experience,” Foley said.
Reporter Evan Caldwell: 425-339-3475 or ecaldwell@heraldnet.com.
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