We burn paper refuse in backyard 55 gallon drums. Not unpleasant until some lazy joker burns plastic crap or organic waste.

Secure disposal without the threat of a blade. Primitive but less burdensome than eating the shreds as salad.

Shred all statements, sprinkle them on your salad, and swallow them. That is the only sure way.

Prevention is better than cure. If I'm one of those individuals that seems to shred everything then let that be so. I'm not embarressed to admit it. I'm surprised at the amount of people who put bank and credit statements with such sensitive information directly in the bin or in recycle boxes making it accessible to criminals. If shredding such information makes it difficult for criminals to get their mits on my identity then so be it. I'd rather do that than pay for it later.

I'm sure it's a good idea, but something about people who shred absolutely everything just makes them come across as paranoid.

Everything gets shredded before it leaves my house if it has any important information that somebody else could use.

People tell me I'm a true pack rat. Could it be because I have a 10 story structure in my backyard containing bank statements and credit card statements dating back to the first Reagan administration?

I've been doing this since before identity theft was a catchword, and it's a great habit to get into. I shred EVERYTHING I receive in the mail if it has my name on it. Especially important to shred are offers for credit cards/bank accounts. You should never just throw those away. Note to Randyman: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's much easier to prevent identity theft than to recover from it. :)

I got so used to shredding documents while working for the government, it was a logical step for me to shred financial and personal info at home. A good basic self-protection procedure.

I have a paper shredder, but I have yet to use it. I know it's the right thing to do. I just always seem to be to busy to take the time, either that or I'm just a procrastinator. But I do recognize how important it is.

We finally stared doing this. Really we should have years ago. It is so unnerving to think someone can take your identity and spend money in my name. anything that could have our name on it. credit card offers,etc. we really should start shredding bank statements. It is odd because, we have been taught for years to save all this stuff in a file box for proof of whatever now it can dangerous. at least anything going in our trash will be shredded.

Are you kidding? I do this for FUN. I got a little desktop cross-cutter type, and I love putting credit card offers in there (those little !@#$ers put those fake cards in there nowadays, so I have to rip them open and take out those cards. Makes shredding them all the more satisfying). I would put the newly-made confetti in my rabbit's litter box, but I'm afraid that the inks would be unhealthy for them. If I did, though, I doubt any would-be thief would want to piece together a bank statement after my rabbit's done with it!

Definately a good idea. And, if you don't have a shredder or, if yours tends to have technical difficulties like mine (or your dog enjoys attacking it), you can try this - cut or tear this stuff and put the pieces in different waste paper baskets throughout your house. It will end up in different garbage bags and lessen the chance that anyone is ever going to put it back together.

this is a must if you want to fight identity theft. the many ways people have access to your garbage and your mail is many and making it one less is a start

Very important part of protecting yourself. A significant amount of identity theft is the result of information gleaned from supposed garbage. Shred anything that contains personal or financial information that you throw out.