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December 2003
According to the FBI & FTC, identity theft and fraud is the
fastest growing crime in America. With an estimated 500,000 Americans
robbed of their identities in 2002 (one every 79 seconds), it
pays to be a better shredder.
If you don’t have a shredder in your home office, ask Santa
for one. I found the Fellowes Shredder DM8C at Costco for $79.
Designed for medium duty, it handles 8 sheets of paper at a time,
staples, small paper clips, and credit cards. Whatever brand you
get, make sure it has confetti cut and a basket for easy empty.
Always: Papers with your Social Security Number and preapproved
credit card applications.
Monthly: Bank deposit and withdrawal slips, after recording
them in your checkbook and reconciling them with your bank statement;
credit card receipts, after checking against your statement.
Yearly: Bank and credit card statements (if you itemize
deductions, save to support your tax return); monthly and quarterly
brokerage statements, comparing against year-end summaries; paycheck
stubs, after reconciling them with W-2 or 1099 forms.
Bonus uses for confetti: It makes great packing material,
and you’ll have a handy supply for New Year’s Eve.
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