Fun Facts about Paper Shredding

From painting to penning the Great American novel, there are so many things you can do on paper. Plus, we promise it’s a fun time watching thousands of pounds of paper getting shredded every hour on industrial shredders. However, did you know that paper shredding, as a whole, has some pretty cool backstories to it? We bet you didn’t know these fun facts about paper shredding.

1. The first paper shredding machine was patented in 1909. Its inventor, Abbot Augustus Lowe, sadly never got to see his creation mass-produced as he died three years after patenting it.
2. The next paper shred machine was created in 1935 by German engineer, Adolf Ehinger. Its sole purpose was to shred thousands of volumes of anti-Nazi propaganda before Hitler’s secret police could find them.
3. Paper shredding has grown into its own industry due to state and federal laws meant to prevent identity theft. That’s why you’ve probably noticed a lot of document destruction companies popping up. (Like us!)
4. Paper shredding became much more popular in homes in 1988. This was when the Supreme Court ruled that any personal trash became public property once it was placed on the curb. Homeowners didn’t want anyone easily stealing their information.
5. Shredding isn’t something just done in-house. Many companies hire outside document destruction firms to shred the pounds upon pounds of information they no longer need or want.
6. Even the biggest paper shredders in your offices are no match for industrial shredders. These bad boys eat thousands of pounds of paper every hour and have no problem taking on binder clips, rubber bands, staples, hanging folders, and more.
7. Paper shred offers many perks. The biggest benefits of shredding your unwanted documents is knowing that your information will not fall into the wrong hands.

Complete Shredding Solutions offers secure, AAA certified purge services and document destruction for your home or office. We make sure that your information is safe from identity theft and even provide you with a certificate signifying your proof of compliance with all privacy legislation. For document destruction and paper shredding services on Long Island,  and in NYC, New Jersey, and nationwide, call us at 516-442-1642.

 

How to Protect Your Private Data

Whether you manage client data or are simply in charge of keeping your own personal information secure, you’ll probably agree with us when we say that keeping certain information private is extremely important. If that information falls into the wrong hands, you could suffer from identity theft or even get tied up in a lawsuit. With all the ways someone could get their hands on sensitive information, it’s important to know how you can protect your private data.

1. Limit What Data You Collect: If you’re handling client information, only take what is necessary. The more of their data you have, the more liable you are should something go wrong. It also ends up costing you more since sensitive information should be guarded with multiple layers of protection on limited devices.
2. Limit Third Party Access: Whether these are your employees or other companies who request the information, put a cap on who can access sensitive data. The more people who can obtain the information, the more susceptible it is to being stolen. Whoever does have access to the data should be made aware of the severity of data protection issues.
3. Have a Strict Privacy Policy: Often, the people who are giving you their information don’t fully understand how data collection works. Make sure to inform them of what data you’re collecting, how and where it’s stored, how it’s used, and who has access to it. This can all be explained through a company privacy policy.
4. Have a Set Timeline for Storing Data: If you don’t need certain data anymore, there’s no reason to hold onto it. The longer you keep information, the more responsible you are for it. Delete sensitive information when you no longer have cause to use it. You should keep in mind that certain industries, such as finance and government agencies, must comply with federal data destruction rules.

How do you know if the way you’re disposing of your data is the proper way? When you use Complete Shredding Solutions you can rest assured that it is. We comply with all state and federal data destruction laws and provide media destruction and shred services in Nassau County, NY, and the Tri-state area. If your company has sensitive information that needs to be destroyed in New York, New Jersey, or nationwide, call us at 516-442-1624 or 212-939-7534.

Shred and Save Paper in Schools

Think about how much paper is probably used each day in schools: notebooks, handouts, homework assignments, memos – the list goes on.  Schools go through hundreds of pounds of paper a week and don’t always have the best “green” habits. There are many ways to save paper in schools other than shred services and improve your carbon footprint.

In General:

• Program all printers, copiers, and fax machines to print double-sided.
• Use cups, plates, and other paper products that are made from recycled materials.
• Install hand dryers in bathrooms instead of using paper towels.
• Promote recycling, and have bins in classrooms, libraries, and any areas with copiers and/or printers for easy use.

In Classrooms:

• Switch to online learning rather than using textbooks, and give students access to learning materials on computers rather than printing out handouts.
• Email assignments rather than printing them out.
• Encourage teachers and staff to only print materials when it’s absolutely necessary.
• Adjust fonts and margins to make the best use of paper when printing materials. For example: if what you’re printing can reasonably fit on half a page of the paper, rework the margins and fonts so you can print two copies on one sheet of paper.

In Offices/Teacher’s Lounge:

• Send all memos or publications electronically.
• Reuse envelopes for internal use.
• Review and edit documents by using “track change” features rather than printing out and marking up a hard copy.
• Reuse old boxes for storage or packaging for outgoing materials.

Another great way to save paper in schools is by sending all unwanted or fully used paper to Complete Shredding Solutions. We send all the paper we shred to pulping facilities so it can be made into new paper, saving hundreds of trees from being cut down. If you are in need of paper shredding services or other shred services and want to help save our trees, call us at 516-442-1624. We offer document destruction and shredding services for Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, New Jersey, and nationwide.

Protecting Client Sensitive Data

When someone trusts you with a secret of theirs, you have a small weight on your shoulders. When someone trusts you with their social security number, bank statements, and other private information, that weight can feel like a boulder. It’s important to properly protect client sensitive data so both of you stay out of hot water. If you’re unsure how to do so, here are a few tips to help.

1. Create a written plan for what you need to protect. Know, in writing, what client data you are responsible for. While some states already require businesses to have written data security procedures, it’s important to have one anyway, just in case something goes wrong. How else will employees know how to react if there are no written policies?
2. Limit access to paper documents. It may seem convenient to leave filing cabinets unlocked so anyone in the office can have access to them. However, there are some documents that not everyone should be able to attain. Locking file cabinets can give you control over who sees what and protect you from any security breaches.
3. Back up your records properly. Having records on a computer or hard drive isn’t enough. Use extra software to backup hard drives and keep them offline. Make sure to use a reputable company’s software so you know your client data will be safe.
4. Have a plan for a breach. No matter the size of your company, breaches can happen. However, how you handle them will determine how your clients will as well. Have a protocol that includes how clients will be told about the breach and how to respond to it.

An excellent practice to protect client data is getting rid of documents and information you no longer need to keep. Complete Shredding Solutions offers document shred service and data destruction in compliance with all state and federal laws. We are AAA Naid Certified so you can trust us to safely get client information off your back and into our shredders. For more information, please call 516-442-1642.

DIY v. Professional Paper Shredding

If you’re holding onto documents you no longer need, you’re running the risk of having your information fall into the wrong hands. If you’re a business, medical office, or school, you’re risking a lawsuit or worse if that happens. It’s best to get rid of documents and data you no longer need so you can protect yourself and your clients. You can just do it yourself then, right? Yes, you could – or you could hire the professionals. There are pros and cons to both options.

DIY Shredding

Pros

• It’s cheap. You can buy a home shredder for as little as $30 and be ready to shred away.
• Everyone can do it. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can operate a shredder – it’s just feeding papers into a slot. You can do it yourself or have another employee or intern do it.

Cons:

• It’s slow. Home shredders are so cheap because they have way less power than large shredders. It can take hours to shred just a few file boxes worth of paper, and that’s if your shredder doesn’t overheat and cost you more time.
• It’s not that secure. Anytime a new person comes into the shredding room, you’re risking your information being stolen even after it’s shredded.
• It’s stuck with you. When you shred your documents yourself, you’re responsible for recycling or disposing of them afterward.

Professional Shredding

Pros:

• It’s secure. Professional shredding services are legally certified to safely and securely dispose of your shredded documents, so your information isn’t at risk of being stolen.
• It saves you money. When you subtract the cost of your shredder maintenance and the cost of paying someone to sit there and shred papers for hours, professional shredding services could be a lot cheaper.
• It’s convenient. With drop-off, mobile, and recurring shredding services, you don’t have to take time out of your busy day to sit and shred papers. We’ll come to you.

Cons:

• Honestly, there really aren’t any!

 

Complete Shredding Solutions fulfills all the pros of document shredding without any drawbacks to you! We provide mobile shredding, recurring shredding, and drop-off services to make destroying your data fast, easy, and affordable. For paper shredding services on Long Island, in New Jersey, or nationwide, please call us 516-442-1642.

A Letter From Your Home Shredder

Dear John,

It’s your home shredder, Shawn, here. Listen, I’m going to do my best to be civil, but I’ve got a bone to pick with you. I’ve become pretty upset that you seem to be changing my job description lately. I was optimistic at first, but you have completely gone overboard. You probably don’t even know what I’m talking about, or even care, so let me elaborate for you.

When I first started out with you, I was so excited. You were giving me receipts and junk mail you didn’t want to read — I loved all those circulars. Then you started feeding me full magazines. That was a little rough, but they were just the thin kiddie ones your daughter didn’t want, so I didn’t mind. I mean, it was just one a month, right? Wrong!

You started bringing home all those newspapers from work, and those do not go down easy — let me tell you. They’re long and hard for me to swallow, and the shreds bunch up in my bin. But still, I told myself it was fine. This was my job, and you’d probably retire me soon anyway.

When you began cleaning out your home office, I knew I’d had enough of paper shredding. Who do you think you are trying to put boxes upon boxes of papers down me? I’m a HOME SHREDDER, not one of those industrial guys who eat thousands of pounds of paper an hour! You didn’t even give me a break, either. You sat there for hours just feeding me and feeding me. And of course, it took that long because, contrary to what you believe, I can’t handle that much paper. When I overheated from the strain of it all, you got mad at me. Well, you should’ve gotten mad at yourself for not taking all those boxes of paper to a professional shredder.

Now… I would like to continue our partnership, because I do actually like working with you when you’re not overfeeding me. That being said, I have an idea that can make both of us happy. I’ll stick around to shred those receipts and junk mail, as long as you take your papers to Complete Shredding Solutions. They can safely shred all the paper you want in minutes. So — do we have a deal?

Sincerely,

Shawn the Shredder

In Nassau and Suffolk County, New Jersey, and nationwide, Complete Shredding Solutions is your trusted data destruction service and paper shred service. We offer drop-off and recurring shredding services to provide you with convenient and safe document destruction. For more information about Complete Shredding Solutions, call us today at 516-442-1624 for more information.

 

Consequences of Identity Theft

We do our best to protect ourselves from the flu and heart disease, but there’s an illness out there that can virtually kill you — it probably just never crossed your mind. Its symptoms include incorrect medical diagnosis and bills, hurting your child’s chances of getting financial aid in college, and thousands of dollars worth of credit card debt, to name a few. This deadly disease we’re talking about is identity theft. Contrary to popular belief, identity theft can affect more than just your financial status. If someone steals your information, you could be left with other terrible consequences. 

It can hurt your job prospects.

When hiring a new candidate, many employers look at your credit history as part of a background check, and a report marked by an ID theft-related error could ruin your application. While they can’t reject you because of your credit score without telling you, employers could come up with any excuse to replace the truth.

It can cause an increase in your car insurance premiums.

Almost all auto insurers use your credit score to determine your rates. If your credit score is suffering because of an identity theft issue, you’re guaranteed to pay higher premiums than you would otherwise.

It can get you a surprise tax bill.

A “popular” form of ID theft involves using the victim’s social security number on job applications, usually to fulfill residency requirements. Thieves can get by like this for years, paying their bills and taxes. However, if they fail to pay, the IRS will go to you for the rest of the bill since it’s your SSN. At that point, you’ll have to prove you didn’t actually earn that money.

It can get you arrested:

Criminal identity theft doesn’t even involve your finances. If someone is arrested and uses your name and stolen license during booking, then congratulations, you might have a criminal record. Many innocent people have been arrested during traffic stops and thrown in jail, accused of crimes that they didn’t commit. 

When it comes to protecting yourself from identity theft, you need to limit how much of your information is physically able to fall into someone else’s hands. Complete Shredding Solutions safely, securely, and affordably destroys your documents beyond reconstructive recognition to keep you safe from identity theft. For paper shred services on Long Island, in New Jersey, and nationwide, call us at 516-442-1624.

 

How Long Should I Keep Important Documents?

If your home or office looks like Mount Everest, except with paper instead of snow, you might have an issue when it comes to getting rid of your papers and documents. That’s probably just because you don’t know how long you actually need to hang onto them for. In an effort to help you declutter your home or office,  we’re here to let you know just how long you need to keep those important documents.

Keep and Store Permanently: Tax Returns and Medical/Financial Records

Your tax returns are an important part of your financial history, so you should keep a permanent electronic or hard copy of each of your returns and any payments you make to the government. Also hold onto any legal filings, inheritances, marriage, birth, and death certificates connected to your family.

Keep for Three to Seven Years: Supporting Tax Documents

The IRS may be able to ask you to provide supporting documentation for three to seven years after filing a return, depending on your filing circumstances. You should save any document that verifies information on your tax return, such as W-2/1099 forms, bank/brokerage statements, tuition payments, and charitable donation receipts, for three to seven years.

Keep for One Year: Regular Statement, Pay Stubs

Store a digital or hard copy of your year’s monthly bank and credit card statements, as well as your pay stubs, to verify your W-2 accuracy once tax season arrives.

Keep for One Month: Utility Bills and Deposit/Withdrawal Records

Once you receive confirmation of your payment, you can dispose of your bills, and upon getting your monthly statement, you can also throw out your withdrawal and deposit slips. However, if you are self-employed, you may want to keep these documents for tax purposes.

Once you’re done clearing out important documents you no longer need, you shouldn’t just toss them in the trash — you should shred them. Complete Shredding Solutions offers safe and secure paper shredding services, so you can sleep soundly knowing your personal information is safe. For more information or to schedule paper shredding services on Long Island, in NYC, and New Jersey, call us at 516-442-1624.

Shredding Horror Story Part One: We’ve Been Hacked

It was regular Monday afternoon at XYZ Financial. The staff was relaxed after a good weekend, and all were excited to use the new computer systems the company recently upgraded to. While going through his client’s plan like he did this time every day, John noticed that several accounts were severely depleted of the funds that had been there before the weekend. He began going through statements to see if the clients had taken it out privately, but the withdrawals didn’t show up anywhere in their system. John started to freak out and leaned over his desk to ask his co-worker what to do.

“Hey, Mac. I just saw a bunch of my accounts have thousands of dollars missing from them, but we didn’t authorize any of the changes. What do —”

Mac interrupted him with a surprised tone. “You too? Claire and I have the same issue. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Something wasn’t adding up. “If you guys have that problem too, something’s got to be wrong. I’m going to go talk to Michelle.”

John nervously walked into his boss’ office to explain what was going on. Michele was sitting at her desk going through papers, a frantic look in her eye. “Hey, Michelle. Sorry to spring this on you, but a few of us on the floor have noticed a bunch of accounts that are out thousands of dollars. We didn’t authorize it, so I was wondering if there was a glitch in the system or something?”

Michelle picked her head up from the papers and motion for John to sit down. “I wish that was the case. We’ve been hacked.”

John felt his eyes widen. “Hacked? What do you mean?”

Michele sighed in disbelief. “I mean, when we threw out all the old computers, there were still hard drives in them and someone stole that information.”

“I thought everyone used that special program to wipe the hard drives?”

“Those programs don’t delete everything. Plus it didn’t help that mostly everyone just threw client forms in the garbage once they didn’t need them. We’re going to have a company meeting about it within the hour.”

“But…” John could barely find words, “what’s going to happen to all the client’s who got affected? A bunch of my accounts that got drained were people’s life savings. I mean, what’s going to happen to them?”

“We’re going to have to figure it out. You can start calling those people to at least give them a heads up.” Michelle started mumbling to herself in frustration. “I told them we should’ve had everything shredded.”

Some other employees watched a now-sullen John walk back to his desk.

“Did Michelle tell you what’s going on?” You could hear the anxiety in Mac’s voice.

John dialed a number on the phone’s keypad. “Yeah… we got hacked.” He shut his eyes tightly as he heard a response on the other end of the line. “Hey, Bobby. It’s John from XYZ Financial.”

To hear what happens next in our shredding horror story, be sure to follow Complete Shredding Solutions on Facebook and Twitter.

Complete Shredding Solutions offers safe and secure paper shredding services, so you can sleep soundly knowing your personal information is safe. For more information or to schedule paper shredding services on Long Island, in NYC, and New Jersey, call us at 516-442-1624.

 

Dumpster Diving

It’s the most dreaded time of the month – the time when you have to sit down and pay your bills. After going through all their expenses, writing checks and reluctantly hitting “Pay Now” on their online banking account, many people throw out their bills and patiently wait for next month’s to come in. I mean, that’s the right thing to do, right? Wrong. Throwing your bills in the trash may save you from piled up papers, but it also puts you risk to be a victim of dumpster diving.

What is dumpster diving?

Simply put, dumpster diving is when people go through your trash in search of your personal information in an attempt to steal your identity. This is different than when less fortunate people go through your trash in search of food to sustain them. The types of divers who concern us are those who are looking for an old bill, receipt, or another piece of paper with your name on it.

Why would people go through my trash just for a piece of paper?

To you, that piece of paper may be a simple receipt from the supermarket or paid cable bill, but to these dumpster divers, it’s the key to stealing your identity. Those trashed papers can contain the last four digits of your credit card, your rewards card number, your name, address, and more, all of which can be used to steal your identity.

Isn’t dumpster diving illegal, though?

Yes, it is. But if these people are willing to risk jail for identity theft, do you think they’re going to care about getting in trouble for dumpster diving?

How can I prevent myself from being a victim of dumpster diving?

You can shred your bills instead of just tossing them in the trash. These divers can’t and won’t spend hours trying to piece together a single piece of paper. Shredding your personal information can save you big time.
Complete Shredding Solutions safely, securely, and affordably destroys your documents beyond reconstructive recognition, so you are safe from identity theft. For paper shredding services on Long Island, in New Jersey, and nationwide, call us at 516-442-1624.