Keep Identity Theft In Mind When Spring Cleaning

This may be the time of year you start thinking about spring cleaning. When you do, make sure you think about identity theft at the same time.

After all, spring cleaning often involves reducing clutter and throwing things away. When tidying up a home office, make sure you don’t throw out paper that has information that would help thieves steal your identity. (Read more consumer complaints about privacy)

Home office dangers

Identity theft affected 11.1 million adults in 2009, an increase of 12 percent from the previous year, according to Javelin Strategy and Research. While it’s important to be careful when you’re cleaning out any part of your home, a home office requires particular care.

From tax documents to medical bills and store receipts, the home office is filled with confidential information that can lead to identity theft.  And while it’s easy to think that identity thieves only prey on electronic data, “dumpster divers” are notorious for sifting through garbage in search of confidential paper documents to steal. 

By making shredding a part of your spring cleaning exercises, you can help ensure that your confidential paper documents don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Scary and evolving crime

“Identity theft is a scary and evolving crime,” said Jay Foley, executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego. “In 2011, thieves will get savvier through new theft techniques, such as organized crime rings that sell stolen information.”

 “Proactive measures are key to protecting yourself, and that’s why it’s important to remain aware of identity theft threats as you deal with the mounds of paper every household accumulates.

The ITRC recommends their top-five tips for spring cleaning the home office:

1. Begin with the Basics: Sort through the piles of paperwork on your desk and in your office drawers.  Place them into two categories: ‘save’ and ‘shred.’
2. Proper Storage: Organize the ‘save’ pile into labeled folders and be sure to put anything confidential into a fire-proof lock box.  The ‘shred’ pile should be properly disposed of with a Cross-Cut shredder.  Cross-Cut technology is an important feature for a shredder because it provides high security, destroying confidential information into unidentifiable pieces.  Equally important are enhanced safety features, such as having a SafeSense technology, which shuts the machine down when hands come too close to the paper opening.
3. Get a Digital Makeover: Refresh your home office computer by deleting files you no longer use and backing-up important data onto an external hard drive.  Clean out your inbox and change all passwords.  Refreshing your computer is a good practice to follow throughout the year as well. 
4. Make Life Easier: Plan ahead by purchasing organizational tools for your desk, such as computer risers or file folder holders.  This will help clear clutter from your desk top while keeping things within arms reach.
5. Freshen Up: Get rid of dust and germs that easily build up on office equipment such as keyboards, telephones and cabinets.  You’ll feel instantly more productive with a clean workspace.