Workplace identity theft isn’t caused by paper documents because we have gone paperless, right? Rubbish. Paper rubbish, in fact.

You and I both know that we use as much paper as ever. We sign up for electronic statements and then print and file them, along with important emails, financial documents, etc. Paper documents are more plentiful than ever, and they pose a significant risk of workplace identity theft and data breach.

According to a recent study* conducted by the Alliance for Secure Business Information (ASBI):

80% of large organizations surveyed indicated that they had experienced one or more data breaches over the previous 12 months. 49% of those breaches involved the loss or theft of paper documents. The average breach recovery cost $6.75 Million!

In other words, most businesses have already been breached and half of the time it was because of paper documents!

Fact: Every day, businesses manage highly confidential information (customer data, employee records, intellectual property), leaving themselves, their employees and customers vulnerable to an extremely costly data breach.

But what many fail to realize is that paper documents pose just as much of a risk to an organization as electronic documents.

Shredding is the most concrete form of identity theft prevention and the only way to help ensure that all confidential information included on paper documents remains just that…confidential.

As a two-time victim of identity theft (one of which resulted from un-shredded documents that went out in my trash), I know how important it is to shred confidential paperwork after use.  I also know how important it is to find a quality shredder and one with cross-cut capabilities that fits your offices’ individual needs. Watch the video above for more tips on proper shredding.

Fellowes Shredders Stop Workplace Identity Theft

I only use Fellowes Shredders. Here’s why:

• Fellowes, Inc. is the leading shredder manufacturer, which means that it has a shredder for every situation, home or office. It is an established, reputable company that stands behind their products with research, warranties and education.
• Fellowes shredders come with 100 percent Jam Proof technology, which means that they work when you need them most.
• I love the SafeSense feature, which disables the shredding device if human fingers get too close. That makes it safe for my young kids.
• They provide confetti shreds that are less than 2”, making it nearly impossible to re-construct the document.
• They last!

Want to find out which shredder is right for your unique office environment? Use this Fellowes Shredder Selector Tool.

John Sileo became America’s leading Workplace Identity Theft Speaker & Expert after he lost his business and more than $300,000 to identity theft and data breach. His clients include the Department of Defense, Pfizer and the FDIC. Learn more about bringing John to speak at your next event by contacting him directly on 800.258.8076.

*The web-based survey was launched August 12, 2008 and was closed August 21, 2008. Debriefing of respondents and analysis was completed August 30, 2008. The margin of error on all adjective scale and Yes/No/Unsure responses is: ? 3.5 percent. The final sample consisted of 819 individuals who work in IT operations, IT security, data protection and compliance in large organizations in a variety of industries.

Related posts:

1. Secure Document Storage
2. Workplace Identity Theft: Shredding
3. Auto Document Storage

Shredded bliss: 5 steps to choosing the perfect paper shredder

Protect yourself from identity theft by shredding daily

Modern criminals may be stealing personal information electronically through sophisticated online data mining tools, but small-time crooks sorting through food wrappers and dirty diapers in the quest for discarded paperwork ‘still lurk.

In fact, not shredding potentially sensitive documents before you dispose of them is almost like begging to become one of the Federal Trade Commission’s estimated 9 million victims of identity theft in the United States every year. And with adequate shredders available for as low as $50, there’s almost no excuse — every household should have one.

John Sileo can attest to this firsthand. The identity protection expert and professional speaker had his identity stolen twice, and in one of those instances, a shredder could have made all the difference. “Shortly after buying a house, I put some mortgage documents out in the trash, and didn’t think twice about it,” he says. Later “a woman used my identity to buy herself a home. Eventually, she declared bankruptcy as me.”

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John Sileo became one of America’s leading Social Networking Speakers & sought after Identity Theft Experts after he lost his business and more than $300,000 to identity theft and data breach. His clients include the Department of Defense, Pfizer and the FDIC. To learn more about having him speak at your next meeting or conference, contact him by email or on 800.258.8076.

Related posts:

1. Read about John Sileo in the Denver Examiner
2. WSJ Article Quotes Identity Theft Expert, John Sileo
3. Must Read: 2010 Census Identity Theft