| As an individual, you may wonder if you actually | | | | 5)Peace of Mind: With so many risks involved in |
| need to purchase a paper shredder for your own | | | | not destroying sensitive documents, buying a |
| personal use. The answer is, quite simply, YES. | | | | personal shredder is an easy call to make to give |
| Today's world is rife with identity theft, credit | | | | you assurance that your identity, privacy and |
| card theft and other fraudulent activities. Now is | | | | money are secure. It's a trend for a reason, and |
| the time to invest in your privacy and security. | | | | that's because shredding works to help bring |
| There are many reasons to buy a paper | | | | protection and security to the things most |
| shredder, here are just 5: | | | | important to you. |
| 1)Identity Theft: Almost 9 million people per year | | | | A household or office shredder is becoming as |
| have their identities stolen in the US alone, with | | | | necessary as a dishwasher or refrigerator in |
| over 50 billion dollars stolen per year. This | | | | terms of household appliances. Nothing is more |
| epidemic crime can be curbed dramatically by | | | | important in today's age of identity theft and |
| removing the physical documentation the thieves | | | | fraud, than protecting your identity and |
| use to get their information, and shredding has | | | | investment. The question is not really if you |
| been proven to be the best way to do this. | | | | should purchase a shredder, but when. |
| 2)Credit Card Theft: Credit card numbers and | | | | Shredders are available in a variety of price |
| even passwords can be taken from documents in | | | | ranges, with a variety of functions, including large |
| the trash. Even papers torn by hand can be easily | | | | and small capacities, space saving units, straight or |
| put back together. Many thieves and drug addicts | | | | the safer, cross-shredding system and even |
| frequent personal and business trash cans and | | | | several lines of shredders that keep style in mind. |
| dumpsters to find this kind of information. | | | | It's definitely not a "one-size-fits-all" industry, but |
| Shredding helps ensure that this won't happen to | | | | one that conforms to the needs of consumers. |
| you. | | | | The market for shredders, including commercial |
| 3)New Laws: A provision to the Fair and Accurate | | | | and personal shredders tops $350 million a year, |
| Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), requires | | | | and growing. As the need for protection grows, |
| destruction of any confidential employee | | | | so does this upward-moving industry. As a matter |
| information, even if you only have one employee | | | | of fact, shredders are the fastest growing |
| such as a nanny or a handy man. You can open | | | | segment in the overall office products industry. |
| yourself up to lawsuits or even prosecution if you | | | | From individuals to multi-national corporations, |
| do not comply with these new privacy laws. | | | | there are shredders to meet the needs of |
| 4)Recycling: Our environment is certainly a timely | | | | anyone seeking financial security. So find the right |
| concern. But did you know that shredding actually | | | | shredder for your needs and bring it to your |
| facilitates recycling? As a matter of fact, you can | | | | home or office. It's by far the best way to |
| actually be paid modestly by recycling companies | | | | protect yourself and your family from the real |
| for contributing to save the environment. | | | | dangers of theft and fraud. |