How Shredding Protects You from Identity Theft: The Mistakes Most People Make
May 01, 2025
Every day, Canadians unknowingly toss away documents that could open the door to identity theft. Whether it’s old bank statements, credit card offers, or medical records, these pieces of paper can easily end up in the hands of someone willing to use them against you. You might think, “Who’s going to dig through my garbage?” But here’s the reality — criminals do. And they’re very good at it.
Dumpster diving isn’t just an urban myth; it’s a real and growing threat. Identity thieves are looking for discarded documents they can use to open accounts, apply for loans, file tax returns in your name, and even receive medical treatment using your identity. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, identity theft has surged in recent years, with thousands of reported cases causing financial havoc and emotional stress.
The solution? Shredding. But not just any shredding — secure, professional shredding done properly and consistently. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how shredding protects you from identity theft, the biggest mistakes people make, and how you can apply simple habits to keep your personal information out of the wrong hands. By the end, you’ll know how to protect yourself, your family, and your peace of mind.
1. Why Identity Thieves Love Paper Waste
If you think identity theft only happens online, think again. While digital breaches get headlines, paper documents are still one of the easiest and most overlooked sources of personal data for thieves. When you throw away sensitive documents without shredding them, you’re essentially handing out your information on a silver platter.
Criminals look for anything that reveals your name, address, birth date, banking details, or social insurance number. In fact, an old utility bill or credit card statement is often enough to start building a fraudulent profile. Once they have a few key details, they can open new credit lines, apply for government benefits, or even rent property in your name.
I’ve seen clients who thought they were safe because they never shopped online, only to have their identity stolen through old paper records they carelessly threw away. Identity theft doesn’t just hurt your credit score — it can take years to unravel, causing stress, financial losses, and hours spent filing police reports and dealing with financial institutions.
2. The Most Common Shredding Mistakes People Make
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people assuming that tearing up documents by hand or using a small home shredder is enough. Unfortunately, these methods don’t cut it — literally. Hand-torn documents can easily be pieced back together, and most home shredders only cut paper into long strips. Thieves are surprisingly patient, and reconstructing strip-shredded documents is not as difficult as you might think.
Another common mistake is inconsistency. People save up documents for months, only shredding them once a year or tossing them in the recycling bin when they’re in a rush. Recycling bins are not secure — once they’re on the curb, they’re fair game for anyone to dig through. It only takes one overlooked envelope with personal information to cause serious damage.
I’ve also seen homeowners assume that junk mail is safe to discard without shredding. But pre-approved credit card offers and promotional mailings can be used by fraudsters to apply for credit in your name. If your name and address are on it, shred it.
3. The Power of Professional Shredding Services
While home shredders might seem convenient, they fall short in security and efficiency. Professional shredding services, like those offered by Paper Savers, use cross-cut and industrial shredders that destroy documents into tiny, unreadable fragments. There’s no chance of reconstruction. Additionally, professional services offer locked collection bins, secure transportation, and certificates of destruction, giving you peace of mind that your documents are gone for good.
Using a service also saves you time and effort. Instead of spending hours feeding paper through a small machine that overheats and jams, you can schedule a pickup or drop off your documents for quick, certified destruction. And for those who like full transparency, Paper Savers offers on-site shredding where you can watch the process happen.
Most importantly, professional shredding companies recycle the shredded material responsibly, meaning you’re protecting your identity and the environment at the same time. You can’t get that level of security and sustainability from a home shredder or your recycling bin.
4. What Documents You Should Be Shredding (And Why So Many Get Missed)
Many people only think to shred documents that seem obviously sensitive — tax returns, bank statements, or legal papers. But identity thieves look for much more. Documents like old pay stubs, utility bills, medical prescriptions, and even old boarding passes can be used to piece together your identity.
I recently had a client who didn’t think twice about tossing old school forms for their children. Unfortunately, those forms contained birth dates, addresses, and parent contact information — all prime details for scammers looking to commit child identity theft, which is especially dangerous because it often goes undetected for years.
Here’s a practical tip: If you’re unsure whether to shred something, ask yourself if it contains any identifiable information. If it does, shred it. Better safe than sorry. And if you’re decluttering during spring cleaning or after tax season, that’s the perfect time to arrange a one-time bulk shredding service with Paper Savers.
5. How to Build Shredding into Your Daily Life
Protecting yourself from identity theft doesn’t have to be complicated. The first step is making document shredding part of your regular routine. Set aside a secure container at home where you place any document that needs to be shredded. Don’t mix it with recycling or trash — keep it separate and labeled.
Then, depending on your volume of paper, schedule a shredding service every few months. If you run a home-based business or frequently handle personal paperwork, you might need more frequent pickups. The key is consistency. The more often you shred, the less risk you leave sitting around.
Professional shredding services also make it easy to scale your efforts. Whether you’re clearing out old files or just doing monthly maintenance, Paper Savers offers flexible services that cater to both small and large volumes. Plus, you’ll receive a Certificate of Destruction, so you have official documentation that your information was securely disposed of — something especially important for professionals handling client data.
Conclusion
Identity theft can be financially devastating and emotionally exhausting. But here’s the good news: it’s preventable. By taking document disposal seriously and partnering with a professional shredding service, you protect not just your financial health, but your family’s future.
The mistakes most people make — using a home shredder, throwing out “harmless” documents, or waiting too long — can easily be avoided. Shredding isn’t just about cleaning up paperwork; it’s about taking proactive steps to stay one step ahead of criminals.
At Paper Savers, we help Toronto homeowners and businesses securely destroy sensitive documents with ease. Whether you need a one-time purge or regular shredding pickups, we’re here to help you safeguard what matters most.
Contact Paper Savers today to schedule secure residential or business shredding services and protect your identity before it’s too late!