Identity fraud - what should be destroyed?

LuCiPh33R

After reading up on the "Great Paper Shredder Hunt" thread, someone suggested just cutting out the relevent portions, and shredding by hand, burning, etc.

What do we NEED to destroy to prevent ID theft? Cc numbers and statements go without saying obviously, but what else? Everything with your name and address on it?

Less shredding means you could probably get away by doing the little bits by hand!

Geoff

ariba10

We shred anything that has anything on it that would help to identify us and our address. The address part of evelopes and parcels, account No's ect. If in doubt shred it.

roswell

I find the kitchen sink and water do the trick just fine with out a shredder make a wet musshy past then make it into a ball and chuck it in the bin, cost next to nothing ,,,, musshy runy ink mess if anyone wants to go through it there welcome to. I just do reciepts though anyone can get your name and address any way off the electoral roll so not much point hiding it.

Helen_from_yorkshire

We do too .... but you do need to watch out for letters that have your name throughout or credit agreements that have your details pre-printed on them. We shred everything to prevent documents like this inadvertently being put in the bin.

angelatgraceland

Not only do the above, but check up on the balances/recent use of cards you havent used recently. I had my ID stolen through no neglect of my own on a credit card I hadnt used for a while. It took me 3 months to discover it. Barclaycard will password your account for the phone use side of things if you request it. Someone phoned them pretending to be me and "moved house" , ordered a new card etc. Luckily b/c were suspicious as some of the questions were answered incorrectly and they suspended my account until I phoned them after my card being rejected. If you dont use an account, close it. Ive learned since that there was a rather clever postman in our area who was taking selected mail and redirecting stuff like what had happened to me. He went to far one day and a householder arrested him. Had him on cctv. The police told me this!

gem4

As I put almost all of my junk mail into the recycle bin I make sure I tear out any reference at all to my name and address before doing so. I have online bank statements. Old utility bills, credit card bills, rent accounts, council tax bills, etc....... go into the shredder. Till receipts, card receipts and anything else from my shopping trips either go in the shredder or if I'm feeling lazy get ripped into tiny bits and dumped in the bin promptly followed by a few soggy tea bags, left over gravy or anything else nasty that I can find. I hope I've thought of everything but I suppose someone who meant business would still find a way.

empfun

It sure is a fine line between paranoia and being thorough. I'm guessing the richer you are the more careful you will become. My neighbourhood is financially deprived so nobody bothers stealing anybody's identity around here. Good old fashion hand ripping is enough here.

Verbatim

We rip off the name, address and acc/no's to burn or add to compost heap (no shredder and too mean to buy one) and recycle the 'body' of offers and junk mail. Used to do the same with all envelopes and addressed mail but don't now. Probably should.

Was horrified about a year ago to find I'd inadvertently put some unsolicited credit card cheques in the recycling, retrieved before they made it onto the step. They'd been sent I think by LTSB. They had a furious phone call from me accusing them of inviting ID fraud and a promise never to send same again. I'm now a lot more careful to check the promo inserts that come with statements!

NatWest also give out or rather let you choose a password that they give you when they phone so you can be sure it is them before answering security questions. I won't respond over the phone to these otherwise. Could be anyone!