Find a document shredder near you

If the thought of putting documents containing sensitive personal information into the recycle bin is concerning, you aren't alone. Finding a shredding service near you is a crucial part of protecting your identity and keeping your personal information out of the hands of thieves and hackers. 

What do shredding services do?

Big businesses may use shredding services to help protect their private information. Shredding companies may offer on-site or residential shredding services for confidential and sensitive documents. Savvy individuals, who want to avoid the hassle of identity theft, may also use a shredding company to dispose of documents containing account numbers, birth dates and other private information. 

Document destruction specialists understand how important it is to protect your personal information. They are often willing to come to your home to pick up your documents to shred on-site or take them to an independent shredding facility for destruction. 

How much do shredding companies charge?

Prices will vary depending on where you live and the company. You may pay a per-hour fee, or you may pay by weight. 

Before hiring a shredding service, request price quotes from a few shredding companies near you. Ask about pricing structures so you can understand how much you’ll be charged.

What to shred and what not to shred.

While many documents should be stored in a secure location and shredded before you dispose of them, there are certain things that you should not shred. Think twice before you shred:

• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Adoption papers
• Death certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Tax returns (and other tax-related documents)
• Citizenship papers
• Marriage certificates
• Records for tax deductions

Here are a few common documents you might decide to shred:

• Paid bills
• Bank statements
• Sales receipts
• ATM receipts
• Insurance offers
• Credit card offers
• Expired warranties

Signs you should hire a shredding service.

It can be tricky to know which documents you should throw away, which to keep and which to shred. Shredding documents isn't a big priority for many households. Still, suppose you've taken measures to protect your identity in other ways, like locking your credit or placing two-factor authentication on your bank accounts and investment accounts. In that case, it makes sense to start shredding certain documents regularly. 

Think about how having your identity stolen would affect your life. If you don't want the hassle and expense, hiring a shredding service near you might be a great idea.

How to choose the best shredding company.

When you interview shredding companies, ask about their pricing and shredding methods. Read their online reviews to see what past customers have said. Reputable shredding companies should also be able to provide references and proof that they comply with local licensing regulations.