The Uses for a Cross-Cut Shred

The cross-cut shred design cuts paper into confetti pieces. All information on the shredded paper is undecipherable. Any bank numbers, social security numbers, addresses and names turn into little pieces of paper. Not only does the cross-cut shred make confetti out of paper it chews up CDs and DVDs in some machines. Some brand name shredders have a powerful enough motor to pull a plastic CD or DVD through the cross-cut blades. These shredders can also cut up credit cards, debit cards and ID cards.

Scams

To prevent having your personal information get into the hands of a scam artist try shredding all your mail after opening. Money scams often come from people who retrieve your address through junk mail. Junk mail contains your address, phone number and name. This is all the information a scam artist needs to ask you for money, swindle you out of your savings or attach themselves to your credit history. Simply by having your name address and phone number, a scam artist can use the Internet to get your credit card information, your bank account information and, in some cases, wire money and make unauthorized purchases.

Stolen SSN

Every few years, the Social Security Administration sends out a projected summary of what your retirement benefits will be when you retire at certain ages. The letter contains your name, address and social security number. If the letter is not cross-cut shredded, your personal information becomes easily accessible to others picking through your trash. By shredding the letter once you read it, you can prevent your social security number from getting into the hands of a scam artist or from being used to steal your identity.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crippling experience that may never completely be resolved. Once someone steals your identity it can take years to notice and notifying all your financial institutions and catching the person can take even longer. Victims of identity theft left themselves exposed in some way to have their personal information stolen. The cross-cut shred helps you to protect your private information. When a person steals your identity, they often open up new bank accounts and apply for new credit cards. By shredding your documents after you read them your private information remains out of the hands of criminals.

Junk Mail

Shredding your junk mail keeps your interests private. Every day in the mail comes little pieces of paper that tell a person looking through your trash what your interests are. If you don't cross-cut shred this junk mail into confetti, people snooping in your trash can begin to assume your identity without you knowing it. Banks send junk mail all the time announcing new banking opportunities. Junk mail is an easy way for people to find out personal information you may not want to share.