Can I Just Throw My Old Paperwork Away? 5 Reasons You Shouldn't
We've all been tempted to just throw old paperwork in the bin. It seems harmless enough – after all, it's just paper, right? Wrong. That innocent-looking pile of documents could be a goldmine for identity thieves and a ticking time bomb for your compliance requirements.
At Cross Cut Shredding, we see the consequences of improper document disposal every day. That's why we offer paper shredding near me services that make document destruction near me as simple and secure as possible. Here are 5 critical reasons why you should never just throw your paperwork away.
Documents thrown in the trash are easily accessible to identity thieves - this is exactly why secure shredding is crucial
Reason 1: Identity Theft is Real and Devastating
The Identity Theft Nightmare
Your old paperwork contains a treasure trove of personal information: bank statements, utility bills, medical records, tax documents, and more. When you throw these in the bin, you're essentially handing your identity to criminals on a silver platter.
Real risk: Identity thieves can use your discarded documents to open credit accounts, apply for loans, or even file fraudulent tax returns in your name. The average victim spends 200+ hours and £1,000+ clearing their name.
What Thieves Look For
- • Bank account numbers
- • Credit card statements
- • National Insurance numbers
- • Address and contact details
- • Medical information
Secure Solution
Our confidential shredding Yeovil service ensures your documents are completely destroyed, making them impossible to reconstruct or read.
Reason 2: GDPR Fines Can Bankrupt Your Business
The Compliance Catastrophe
If you're a business owner, throwing away paperwork isn't just risky – it's illegal. GDPR requires proper disposal of personal data, and the penalties are severe.
Maximum penalty: €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover – whichever is higher. That's not a typo. Many businesses have been fined millions for improper document disposal.
Real GDPR Horror Stories
£500,000 Fine for Healthcare Provider
Patient records found in public dumpster led to massive fine and reputational damage.
£2.5 Million Fine for Financial Services
Confidential client documents discovered in skip during office move.
Reason 3: Dumpster Diving is a Real Threat
You might think your bin is safe, but professional identity thieves and fraudsters regularly target residential and business waste. They know exactly what to look for and where to find it.
Dumpster Diving Reality
- • Thieves target residential bins
- • Business waste is especially valuable
- • Even torn documents can be reconstructed
- • Digital scanning makes recovery easier
Our Secure Solution
Our industrial shredders reduce documents to tiny, unreadable pieces that are impossible to reconstruct, even with advanced technology.
Reason 4: Home Shredders Aren't Secure Enough
The Home Shredder Myth
Many people think a home shredder is sufficient. Unfortunately, most home shredders create strips that can be easily reassembled, especially with modern scanning technology.
Security gap: Home shredders typically create 1/4-inch strips, while professional shredders create cross-cut pieces smaller than 4mm x 40mm – making reconstruction virtually impossible.
Home Shredder Problems
- Large strips can be reassembled
- Limited capacity and slow processing
- No certificate of destruction
- Not suitable for businesses
Professional Shredding Benefits
- Cross-cut to 4mm x 40mm pieces
- High-capacity industrial equipment
- Certificate of destruction provided
- Compliant with BS EN 15713 standards
Reason 5: The Cost of NOT Shredding is Astronomical
The Hidden Costs of Improper Disposal
When you factor in the potential costs of identity theft, GDPR fines, legal fees, and reputational damage, the cost of professional shredding is negligible.
Cost of NOT Shredding
- • Identity theft recovery: £1,000+
- • GDPR fines: Up to €20 million
- • Legal fees: £5,000+
- • Lost time: 200+ hours
- • Reputational damage: Priceless
Cost of Professional Shredding
- • Drop-in shredding: From £18
- • Certificate included
- • Complete peace of mind
- • GDPR compliance
- • Professional service
The Safe Alternative: Professional Document Destruction
Instead of risking your security and compliance, choose our paper shredding near me service. Our drop-in shredding service in Yeovil offers complete transparency and security.
Why Choose Our Document Destruction Service?
- Wait and View: Watch your documents being destroyed in real-time through our CCTV viewing screen
- Professional Equipment: Industrial-grade shredders that meet BS EN 15713 security standards
- Certificate of Destruction: Receive official documentation for your records and compliance
- Competitive Pricing: From just £18 for drop-in shredding – much cheaper than the cost of identity theft
Don't Risk It – Get Professional Shredding Today
The risks of throwing away paperwork far outweigh the small cost of professional document destruction near me. Our confidential shredding Yeovil service provides the security and peace of mind you need.
Visit our facility and see for yourself why professional shredding is the only safe option. Don't let your old paperwork become someone else's opportunity.
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Don't risk your security and compliance. Use our professional shredding service to ensure your documents are properly destroyed
Want to read more about document security? Check out our blog for more tips and information about secure document destruction. Learn more about our how safe drop-in shredding really is or real GDPR horror stories.