Fraud alerts are helpful—scam calls and fake notifications aren’t. One of the easiest ways to lower your risk is to shred documents that contain personal information before they hit the trash.
Here are three unlikely documents you should shred.
1. Junk Mail
Every day, we get junk mail that easily goes from the mailbox to the trash can. However, not shredding these documents could allow thieves to sift through trash and steal your name, address or preapproved credit offers. They can use that information to open accounts in your name.
2. Prescription Labels
Prescription labels contain your full name, address, phone number, physician’s name and dosage. Thieves can use that information as a starting point to impersonate you or work to gather more details.
3. Expired Driver Licenses and Passports
Old passports and expired driver's licenses might seem harmless, but they are a gold mine for identity thieves. Even when they are no longer valid, they still include your full name, photo, birthdate and signature. That is enough for someone to impersonate you, open accounts or commit fraud. Tossing expired IDs in the trash makes you an easy target for dumpster divers. Shredding the records protects your identity and helps make sure those personal details do not fall into the wrong hands. If an ID has information, you would not share with a stranger, shredding it is the safest move.
There are a variety of ways to shred your documents. Here are a few.
Home Shredder: This is the most common way to shred day-to-day documents such as mail, statements and receipts.
Professional Shred Services: If you are dealing with a large amount of paperwork, this might be a great option for you. Many office supply stores and local shredding companies offer drop‑off or on‑site shredding and provide proof that your documents were destroyed. This is especially helpful for old files, tax records or major cleanouts.
Fraud prevention does not have to be complicated. Being mindful of what you throw away is a small habit that can make a big difference. By shredding documents that contain personal information, you reduce the chances of fraudsters getting their hands on details they can use against you. Taking a few extra seconds to shred today can save you hours of frustration later.
Fraud prevention works best when members and VyStar work together. That’s why VyStar encourages a simple approach: When in Doubt, just Reach Out. If something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s a document you’re unsure about, a message you weren’t expecting or a request that feels off, pause and contact VyStar directly before taking action.
You can learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud by going to our Fraud Protection page.