The Best Way to Avoid ID Theft

Here's the next item I wanted to cover from Kiplinger's "The Best List". Today, we're highlighting the best way to avoid ID theft:

The Best Way to Avoid ID Theft: Fellowes P-57Cs Shredder

The most popular shredders cut paper into thin strips that a determined thief could reassemble. Your identity will be safer if you choose a "cross cut" shredder, which turns paper into unreadable confetti. Our top pick is the Fellowes P-57Cs, which showed its chops by dicing credit cards and stapled bills without jamming. We also liked the easy-empty wastebasket. And the price is right -- $60 starting this fall at OfficeMax and other retailers.

I shred religiously -- even stuff that probably doesn't need to be shredded (it doesn't hurt to be safe, does it?) To me, it's the first (and a great) defense against ID theft that's simple and not time-consuming. I think protecting my ID is certainly worth the time and effort.

For more on the topic of identity theft, see these posts:

• What to Do If Your Identity is Stolen

• How Long Does It Take to Clear Your Name if Your ID is Stolen?

• Identity Theft Statistics, Part 1, How Much Money Does the Typical Victim of Identity Theft Lose?

• 10 Ways to Stop Identity Theft Cold

Comments

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If you are at risk of financial disability due to information theft , implement shredders in your offices , this minimizes misuse of private financial documents .