| We've all seen those ads. You know, the ones | | | | shredders cut paper into neat, long strips. |
| where some hapless person is sitting there | | | | The thickness of the strips can vary from as |
| looking forlorn and then suddenly becomes | | | | little as 1/8 of an inch to as much as 1/2 an |
| animated while channeling the voice of their | | | | inch. Logically, it is better to strip the |
| identity thief. I'll bet the first time you | | | | paper as thinly as possible for maximum |
| saw an ad like that you cracked a smile and | | | | security. These paper shredders are typically |
| thought to yourself, 'that could never happen | | | | low maintenance and can handle a large amount |
| to me'. I'll also wager that's the exact | | | | of paper. Although difficult, it is possible |
| thing all those victims of identity theft | | | | for someone to piece those strips together |
| thought too ... before it happened to them. | | | | enough to get some of your critical |
| That's why you need to invest in something | | | | information. |
| like a paper shredder to protect your | | | | |
| identity. | | | | Cross-cut paper shredders are quite good at |
| | | | document destruction since they slice paper |
| No? You don't need something to help with | | | | both horizontally and vertically. It is very |
| document destruction? Well, let's take a look | | | | difficult to put the confetti-sized pieces |
| in that trash bag, shall we? There's a phone | | | | back together and they compress better than |
| bill with your number and address; a bank | | | | long strips so there is less emptying |
| statement with your account number; a card | | | | involved. However, these paper shredders |
| from Aunt Rose with your birthday; and an | | | | generally require more care, more maintenance |
| official letter with your social security | | | | and can be more expensive. |
| number. What do you think could happen if | | | | |
| someone got their grubby little hands on all | | | | Whichever one you choose, remember that a |
| that personal information? Still think you | | | | very patient person can put together |
| don't need a paper shredder? | | | | practically any shredded document. However, |
| | | | document destruction by means of paper |
| Before you go running out to buy one though, | | | | shredders will greatly decrease the |
| you need to take a few things into | | | | likelihood of anyone trying to steal your |
| consideration. All paper shredders are not | | | | identity. I mean, would you prefer to rifle |
| created equally and they have varying levels | | | | through someone's trash and get intact |
| of effectiveness when it comes to document | | | | documents or bags of seemingly worthless |
| destruction. You need to find a good balance | | | | paper that would take forever to put |
| between performance and price. Here's a brief | | | | together? Exactly. And that's just what |
| overview of the two main types of paper | | | | thieves are going to think too, especially |
| shredders: | | | | when there are easier targets available. |
| | | | Invest in a paper shredder today. You won't |
| As the name suggests, strip-cut paper | | | | regret it. |