While it is likely that you know shredding your documents is a sensible step for people and businesses, it can be difficult to motivate yourself or others to actually do it. There are many things in life that are good for us that we don’t do, for a multitude of reasons. This is why it is good to get a reminder of why shredding documents is so important and these are all reasons why you should be looking to shred documents on a regular basis.
It is a legal requirement for many businesses
Given that disposing of certain information and documentation is legally required under the Data Protection Act, it makes sense to look into ways in which you can ensure you meet the needs of the act. If you have confidential information, you need to make sure that this information is disposed of in an effective manner. Information that needs to be effectively disposed of can include:
- Medical records
- Personal details including address details
- Salary details
If your business holds this information, you need to ensure it is held safely and when the time comes to dispose of this information, you need to make sure that it is disposed of in safe manner, which is where shredding comes in very useful.
Minimise the likelihood of identity theft
There will be many people who don’t think that identity theft is that serious a crime but this attitude changes very quickly as soon as someone is a victim of identity theft. People who are victims of identity theft find that their life can be turned upside down and inside out. This can take a great deal of time to resolve and it can see people lose out on money, and have to pay a lot of money to have issues resolved and returned to normal. There is also the fact that people’s credit rating may be impacted upon, which could impact on their ability to obtain finance when they need it most.
Identity theft can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and this is why it makes sense to be proactive as opposed to reactive in dealing with this style of fraud. Shredding documents which contain personal information is a smart step to take to minimise the likelihood of being a victim of identity fraud.
Shredding documents can save time
If you are looking to dispose of documents in a safe and timely manner, shredding is the most sensible solution. You’ll find that cutting, tearing or ripping documents is a time-consuming activity, which is bad for individuals and businesses. Investing in a shredder or employing the services of a shredding company to carry out shredding on your behalf is a very sensible way to save time.
Shredding makes recycling a simpler process
In the current climate, it is important to be seen as being green. Whether you are an individual that is fully supportive of recycling or you are a business that wants to be known for its green credentials, the simple act of shredding documents makes recycling simple.
A lot more shredded documents can be placed into a bag or transported to a recycling centre than standard documents in their original condition, so again, if you are looking for a simpler approach to recycling and being environmentally friendly, make sure that you take the time to shred your documents.
Ensure your business data remains confidential
One of the most important things for any business is to ensure that their data and information remains confidential. If you are concerned about the implications for your business of important information, plans, strategies or details falling into the wrong hands, you need to do everything you can to ensure that your information remains safe.
This means that you need to improve security at your premises but it also means that you need to ensure that your documents are disposed of in a safe and effective manner. The most effective way to dispose of documents is through shredding them and this is a way that a business can ensure their plans and activities remain safe.
Shredding is one way in which you can minimise the likelihood of being a victim of fraud or identity theft, and this is why more people should be encouraged to shred documents and items. You may think that hiring a good solicitor and knowing where to turn to for help will provide you with the support you need when it comes to bouncing back from fraud or identity theft but in the long term, it is more effective to prevent this type of action occurring in the first place.
Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professionally for 9 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn’t sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.