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Protect Yourself: Don’t Be a Victim of Identity Theft

February 26, 2017 By Lena 114 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

It’s not a subject that is at the top of everyone’s mind, but in my humble opinion, it’s not discussed enough. This year’s identity theft statisitcs are in. And, they are downright scary.
Almost one in five Canadians have, or know someone who has, been a victim of identity theft. Think about that for a moment. Statistically, that means by the time you’re done reading this post, hundreds of Canadians will have been victimized.

Don’t be one of them.

Identity theft is the most serious, non-violent crime and fastest growing type of fraud in North America. When someone takes your personal information and uses it for financial gain, it is classified as identity theft or fraud. According to Statistics Canada, identity fraud has increased by 8.62% from 2013 to 2014. In 2014 more than 20,000 identity theft cases were reported in Canada, with a loss of more than $10 million, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. 

999999-43859638369_1The very best thing you can do to prevent identity fraud is to invest in a paper shredder, like the Fellowes Powershred W-10C Shredder. The Fellowes W10C Cross-Cut Paper Shredder is a reliable shredder for home office use. This medium-duty shredder can handle up to 10 sheets at a time. A patented safety lock disables the shredder for additional protection, and the unit includes 5.5-gal wastebasket.

So, what should you shred?

Monthly Credit Card Statements. This includes sample cheques or insurance packets that accompany statements, credit applications and expired cards.

Employment Paystubs. If you receive pay stubs on a weekly basis or otherwise, you should keep them only until you receive your annual wage and tax statement.

Personal Income Tax Reports. You should hold onto these (in a safe place) for six years. However, after six years, it is important that they be shredded.

Monthly Utility Bills. This includes anything from hydro bills to cable bills.

Spam Mail. Any document you receive by regular mail, including sign-up forms for a new credit card, a magazine subscription, or any other document that contains your personal information, such as your name, home address, phone number, etc.

Federal, Provincial or Municipal Government Documents. Examples of this would be your health card, driver’s licence or passport renewal notices, or even a confirmation letter of your childrens’ school registration for the new school year>

Express Mail Documents. General invoices or a confirmation of delivery that accompany a letter or package that was delivered to you by UPS, FedEx, or Canada Post Express – even the labels on delivery boxes or envelopes.

Membership Notices. If you are a member of any organization, such as a tennis club, fitness club, library, etc., be sure to shred all membership renewal notices and documents accompanying the delivery of membership cards, credit cards, store cards, etc.

Banking Documents. This includes bank account statements, ATM receipts and old, unused or voided cheques, etc.

Miscellaneous Documents. Any other documents (including junk mail) that contain usernames, passwords, mailing address or a signature (leases, contracts, letters).

Want more info? Join our #FellowesProtects Twitter Chat on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 8PM EST. We’ll share ways to protect yourself from identity theft, with tips and advice from @AlwaysSaveMoney and prizes courtesy of @FellowesCanada and @StaplesCanada.
FellowesProtects_Invite_2_REVISED (2)There is no RSVP; simply join the conversation. And, thanks to my friends at Fellowes Canada, one lucky reader will WIN a Fellowes Powershred W-10C Shredder. (Want it sooner? Save $10 at Walmart Canada from March 1 – April 30!) To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #FellowesProtects, Fellowes Canada, identity theft

Previous Post: « Focus on the Facts: Be a Nutrition Fact Finder
Next Post: Focusing on the Future: Saving for Retirement »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer versluis

    February 26, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    I currently just rip important papers that are no longer needed into tiny pieces…

    Reply
  2. Lushka Smith

    February 26, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    I shred mine.

    Reply
  3. Sue Frampton

    February 26, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    I rip them up but after reading this I think I need a shredder

    Reply
  4. Tara Betterley

    February 26, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    Currently I have them piled. Occassionally I will rip them up and put them in two or three different garbages.

    Reply
  5. Rache Enns

    February 26, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    Sometimes I take it personally to the recycling centre or to Staples for shredding

    Reply
  6. Lisa Rumolo

    February 26, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    I just rip them up and put them in the recycle

    Reply
  7. lori n

    February 26, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    After reading these facts, I will say I am going to be sure to shred or burn my documents! I need a shredder.

    Reply
  8. Jen L

    February 26, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    I usually do shred anything with my name and address or personal information on it, however, I over-loaded my shredder and it is jammed. It has been jammed for a while and I think winning a new one would be awesome!

    Reply
  9. Elaine G

    February 26, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    I shred them all.

    Reply
  10. Debbie White Beattie

    February 26, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    We usually burn all of our important papers, we can burn because we live in a rural area

    Reply
  11. Lilly Wong

    February 26, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    The worst thing use to be Reader’s Digest Contest letters, My name & address would be On the envelope & all the inserts about 10 times. I have to rip them up by hand or snip them with scissors. Or save them in a bag & take them to a Shredding Event. ????????

    Reply
  12. Rosanne Robinson

    February 26, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    I currently just rip up the papers as much as possible and put them in the trash, not the recycle bin. We definitely need a shredder!

    Reply
  13. Kim K

    February 26, 2017 at 11:24 pm

    I always shred them but my shredder broke, so I have a pile accumulating right now.

    Reply
  14. Paula Ritchie

    February 26, 2017 at 11:36 pm

    I usually cut them up

    Reply
  15. Carol Denny

    February 27, 2017 at 7:51 am

    I cut them up.

    Reply
  16. Treen Goodwin

    February 27, 2017 at 8:06 am

    I burn them in the wood stove in the fall and winter months , but cut them up when we are not using the wood stove !

    Reply
  17. 409cope

    February 27, 2017 at 8:18 am

    I tear my documents into little pieces.

    Reply
  18. Tracey Schmidt

    February 27, 2017 at 8:38 am

    I rip them up.

    Reply
  19. Florence Cochrane

    February 27, 2017 at 8:38 am

    I rip my documents into smallest pieces possible. I do need to get myself a shredder.

    Reply
  20. Judy Cowan

    February 27, 2017 at 10:02 am

    Usually we save everything up and then take it out to our trailer in the summer and burn the papers in the fire pit. But it would be easier to have a shredder at home.

    Reply
  21. Stephanie LaPlante

    February 27, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    We rip everything by hand. Sometimes very time consuming.

    Reply
  22. michelle

    February 27, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    i have them in a big garbage bag waiting to take them to a shredder. Would love to own one

    Reply
  23. Irene Eichler

    February 27, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    I shred them at my office ! Would love to own one for my home !

    Reply
  24. ivy pluchinsky

    February 27, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    I usually just rip them up! I don’t have a shredder but sure wish i did!

    Reply
  25. jan

    February 27, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    we have a dying shredder, but it doesn’t cross shred.

    Reply
  26. marla

    February 27, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    we rip them up and put them in recycle bin

    Reply
  27. maria

    February 27, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    I rip them by hand and then recycle.

    Reply
  28. l p

    February 27, 2017 at 11:07 pm

    commercial shredder like Iron Mountain. thanks

    Reply
  29. salexis alexis

    February 28, 2017 at 3:43 am

    I was just a victim of credit car fraud!!!! I happens. It really does and it’s scary. Be careful out there and protect yourself!!!

    Reply
  30. salexis alexis

    February 28, 2017 at 3:47 am

    I bring them to work to shred. It would be nice to have a shredder at home!!!!

    Reply
  31. Sandi Tymchuk

    February 28, 2017 at 9:15 am

    My shredder is wearing out–I use it a lot!

    Reply
  32. Soozle

    February 28, 2017 at 10:26 am

    I “shred” items by hand tearing them up or in the summer I do burn in the bonfire!

    Reply
  33. Cheryl H

    February 28, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    I cut them up

    Reply
  34. kathy downey

    February 28, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    I dispose of financial and personal documents you no longer need be burning as we have a wood stove

    Reply
  35. leanne

    February 28, 2017 at 1:52 pm

    I currently rip everything up.

    Reply
  36. nicky

    February 28, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    I either rip them up or bring them across town to my dad’s to get shredded (so NOT convenient!)

    Reply
  37. Christine Murray

    February 28, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    I shred them.

    Reply
  38. Alayne Langford

    February 28, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    Hubby takes personal documents into work to shred!!

    Reply
  39. Lisa Hansen

    February 28, 2017 at 7:18 pm

    I shred them.

    Reply
  40. Lori Moran

    February 28, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    I shred them although but not sure for how much longer. It goes slow and sounds like it’s tired, it is well used and very old but better than hand shredding:)

    Reply
  41. Carole D

    February 28, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    I shred them up, but I need a better shredder.

    Reply
  42. Dianne Gardner

    February 28, 2017 at 10:12 pm

    Right now I cut up my papers with scissors when I am finished with them.

    Reply
  43. Joan G.

    March 1, 2017 at 5:12 am

    I have an old shredder but it will soon need to be replaced.

    Reply
  44. Leslie Crosbie

    March 1, 2017 at 5:34 am

    LOL
    I sometimes feel like a hoarder because I keep EVERYTHING if I am not sure!

    Reply
  45. Ron Giese

    March 1, 2017 at 8:32 am

    We have an old shredder here, but it is really old. It was a hand-medown from someone who upgraded (prob 5 years ago!)

    Reply
  46. Wendy Jensen

    March 1, 2017 at 8:53 am

    I shred them up by hand into small pieces and add them to my yucky garbage (that should do the trick) as I do not have a shredder.

    Reply
  47. Erin W

    March 1, 2017 at 11:25 am

    I burn my papers in my wood stove!

    Reply
  48. wendy hutton

    March 1, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I rip them up and put them into the reycle container

    Reply
  49. Jenn Beckett @jennpup

    March 1, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    I rip up and give to my bunny to pee on and chew on, LOL. Then they go into the backyard composter.

    Reply
  50. Nicole Bonomo

    March 1, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    I shred all papers that contain any personal/financial information, including labels from my medications.

    Reply
  51. Julie-Lynne McCann

    March 1, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I take the info to work & get rid of it in their shredder as we don’t have one

    Reply
  52. Andrea

    March 1, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I use a friend’s shredder!

    Reply
  53. Catherine Maguire

    March 1, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I shred mine.

    Reply
  54. margo b

    March 1, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    shredder

    Reply
  55. Kathryn

    March 1, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    I use a shredder

    Reply
  56. Ryan Buschemeyer

    March 1, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    As I said during the party, I don’t currently have a Shredder so I rip everything to pieces and I also make sure to separate everything so all of it is blended together and not all is easily found clumps. I also scratch out Addresses on Packages before tossing the box

    Reply
  57. Lee-Anne Ekland

    March 1, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    I never thought about shredding labels with my name on them. I guess I’ve been a bit lax. No more!

    Reply
  58. Linda

    March 2, 2017 at 1:58 am

    I usually rip them up and recycle my personal documents after I don’t need them.

    Reply
  59. Nancy Giese

    March 2, 2017 at 7:08 am

    We have a firepit, so I toss my papers in there

    Reply
  60. Arly

    March 2, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    I am so careful with my documents but I have a box of items ‘to be shredded’ from moving, I just need a shredder. I usually just tear documents up and put the pieces in 3 or 4 different garbage cans around the house. #paranoid

    Reply
  61. Angela September

    March 3, 2017 at 9:36 am

    CURRENTLY i bring them and shred them at work, but this would be much easier!!!

    Reply
  62. Laurie Cockburn

    March 3, 2017 at 11:16 am

    I just tear them up and throw them away. I know I should be more careful. Had a friend who’s identity was stolen 10 years ago and she still comes across problems to this day

    Reply
  63. Lynnie M

    March 4, 2017 at 6:52 am

    At the moment, we burn them in the bonfire we have in the spring, which is not fun because it accumulates all year! Sometimes I’ll take something to work and shred it there, but We so need a shredder of our own.

    Reply
  64. Jenness M

    March 4, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    I burn them in the firepit in summer.

    Reply
  65. tanyab79

    March 4, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    I have been ripping them and seperate them in garbage bags so this shredder would be great to have.

    Reply
  66. Jody Doncaster

    March 4, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    Generally I hang on too long and then do a burn in a summer bonfire!

    Reply
  67. Juliee Fitze

    March 4, 2017 at 1:49 pm

    I burn them in the fireplace to get rid of them.

    Reply
  68. Lisa Bolduc

    March 4, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    I save a pile of them and give them to my nephew to shred. He is 15 and has downs and takes therapy in shredding. He has gone through countless shredders and we are just looking for a decent one to last a while.

    Reply
  69. Jonnie

    March 4, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    I keep them piled in a closet until we have a bonfire, then I burn them all. A shredder would be much more effeicient!

    Reply
  70. shirley powell

    March 4, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    cut the in small pieces and recycle

    Reply
  71. Julie bolduc

    March 5, 2017 at 12:41 am

    I rip them in alot of peices

    Reply
  72. Amber Y

    March 5, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    I am guilty of tossing them in the trash unshredded. It’s not something I’ve ever really thought much about before.

    Reply
  73. Gillian Morgan

    March 5, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    I used to shred them but now I burn them.

    Reply
  74. Shirley S

    March 5, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    I rip my documents into small pieces. A shredder would be much better.

    Reply
  75. Mae

    March 5, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    i burn mine

    Reply
  76. Barb W

    March 5, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    I’ve just been ripping them up ever since my shredder broke!

    Reply
  77. Eileen Ong

    March 5, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    i shred all my documents

    Reply
  78. Robyn Bellefleur

    March 6, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    I usually just hand rip them and throw them out.

    Reply
  79. Nicole Jubleew

    March 6, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    I store them in a big pile in the corner, with the plan to get a shredder to dispose of them. Sadly the pile continues to grow.

    Reply
  80. Marra

    March 6, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    My work has a secure shredder box. I dispose of my documents there.

    Reply
  81. Tina L.

    March 6, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    I rip them up

    Reply
  82. BlessedTA

    March 7, 2017 at 9:31 am

    I shred it

    Reply
  83. Tanya

    March 7, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    Sometimes I just recycle them most of the times they sit in a box dedicated to properly disposing of them but since I don’t own a shredder its getting out of hand.

    Reply
  84. Beth DiMauro

    March 7, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    I burn them in my fireplace

    Reply
  85. Caroline B

    March 8, 2017 at 6:11 pm

    I rip them up into small pieces.

    Reply
  86. Linda G

    March 9, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    I place all personal papers into a container. A local merchant offers shredding truck service for a donation to a local charity.

    Reply
  87. heidi c.

    March 10, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    I cut them up and then put them in the recycling bag.

    Reply
  88. Joyce S

    March 10, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    We either shred them or burn them

    Reply
  89. Wanda Bee

    March 10, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    I shred them by hand, piece by teensy piece. This is not an easy task!!!!

    Reply
  90. Janice Cournoyer

    March 11, 2017 at 8:13 am

    I dispose of documets by burning them We live in a farm so not too difficult. But for the environment’s sake, shredding would be much more eco friendly.

    Reply
  91. Maryanne

    March 12, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    Shred or burn!

    Reply
  92. Janet M

    March 12, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    I usually ear them up and re cycle.

    Reply
  93. Lucy

    March 13, 2017 at 10:40 am

    Usually, we shred!

    Reply
  94. Jeannie Lam

    March 13, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    We shred them.

    Reply
  95. Dana Miller

    March 14, 2017 at 3:22 am

    I remove my name and address and then recycle the rest of the documents. I would fell more protected from identity theft with the use of a personal shredder for home.

    Reply
  96. Jennifer L.

    March 14, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    I rip them up and recycle them.

    Reply
  97. KellyPC

    March 15, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    I just tear them in half a few times

    Reply
  98. Athena

    March 17, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    We do usually shred our papers (mostly)

    Reply
  99. nancy lafrance

    March 19, 2017 at 7:52 am

    You shred them!

    Reply
  100. Tammy

    March 19, 2017 at 10:08 am

    I rip them into tiny pieces.

    Reply
  101. Catherine Robichaud

    March 19, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    I usually just tear it up into little pieces and then recycle it.

    Reply
  102. christina barany

    March 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    I take my documents to to work and shred them

    Reply
  103. Amanda Fontaine

    March 22, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    I do one of three things with them,
    1) send them to work with hubby to burn
    2) send them with my parents to burn
    3) rip them up and put them in recycling (not my preferred choice though.

    Reply
  104. Fan R

    March 24, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    Shred at work when no one in the office.

    Reply
  105. Shauna M.

    March 26, 2017 at 12:05 am

    I just rip them and throw them in the garbage – I know I should be shredding them!

    Reply
  106. Tara Gauthier

    March 26, 2017 at 11:12 am

    I shred mine, and by that I mean that my kids do the shredding for me!

    Reply
  107. Lynn Duchesne

    March 26, 2017 at 11:13 am

    I borrow a friends shredder. Would be convenient to own one like this!

    Reply
  108. Melinda

    March 26, 2017 at 12:05 pm

    I shred any financial papers.

    Reply
  109. Sherry Kinnear

    March 26, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    Right now,I just rip them up.

    Reply
  110. Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard

    March 26, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    I usually rip them up small by hand

    Reply
  111. LUZVIMINDA GUNTER-SMITH

    March 26, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    I RIPPED IT AND THROW IN THE GARBAGE, I NEED A PROPER SHREDDER , THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE

    Reply
  112. Kim MacAdam

    March 30, 2017 at 1:17 am

    Would love a shredder, always nervous throwing away personal papers etc.

    Thx so much!

    Kim

    Reply
  113. Tania B

    May 29, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    You really have to be so, so careful these days. Things that used to be considered harmless are now very dangerous. Thanks for the great post.

    Reply
  114. Calvin

    February 25, 2018 at 11:44 am

    Many dangerous traps around the web, it’s a growing problem. Prevention is key.

    Reply

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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