Don't Assume Your Trash is Trashed

Recently a report was filed with Sandy Springs Police regarding a resident who found out someone had opened credit in her name and had been raiding her good credit and her money. It's not uncommon that social security numbers are frequently stolen and used during tax time. It's not that uncommon when a woman's wallet is stolen from her purse in a shopping cart while she is distracted.

In this case however, the victim told the officer that her trash can was stolen a couple of months ago and although surprised, she just figured someone took it. That was that. 

She later got the news that her credit had been hijacked. 

Stolen trash is one of the "old school" methods of recovering documents and transitioning them into financial transaction opportunities for the bad guys. It can be a very effective method given that normally, the trash can isn't actually stolen so the victim never has a clue until it's too late. If you think about all the paperwork you toss into the trash can weekly, you can see where someone, who did a bit of sneaking around, could get a hold of bank papers, account and credit card numbers, retirement account information and of course, old coffee grinds.

You can buy shredders from $29 to $300 that will ensure you never have this problem. It's a cheap investment that requires a lot of work. Here's what you have to do: Put the paper in the shredder. Too much? You're lazy. The good news: I'm lazy and I have managed to work occasional shredding into my schedule.

I was watching a show where the Executive Chairman of Goggle, Eric E. Schmidt, who did very well in math I assume, talked about how, through technology, computer programs will record all our movements and then as they learn about us, will make suggestions throughout our life based on our interests, habits, and even movements. His point is that with all this advancement, it will be necessary to advance your personal computer and identity security as well. 

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I can only imagine what a computer program will have in store for me based on my habits and interests. I imagine the first response will be "Get off your ass and do something." Still, before we get too technology "out there," refer back to the basics. Get a shredder. You don't need the expensive ones unless you want to shred your old lawnmower or small farm animals. Don't leave those documents in the trash.