Bank records mailed everywhere...
Check your bank

We recently received a package cushioned with 1/4" strips of shredded paper filler... made from bank records!

Names, addresses, deposit amounts, account numbers, phone numbers, Social Security numbers. It was all there. Easily reconstructed.

This was worth looking into… Our investigation was short.

We wrote to the company who sent us the box...
“Your packing material was most interesting (the recycled paper). Is there a company that supplies it? Is there a charge for it? If you have a company name I would appreciate your sharing it with me. Thanks!”

Their reply...
“Check with any local bank - they shred 6-10 bags per week - you can get it for free for the asking!”

Fortunately, this was an honest person. They could just as easily have been and investigator or spy... and, the bank could have been any business or government agency. Were their hearts in the right place for recycling? Probably. Is this a good practice. No.


Spybuster Tips...
- Shred all your waste paper, not just selected confidential items.
- Use a crosscut shredder.
- Make sure anyone with sensitive information about you crosscut shreds too.
Starting point: Your bank.

 

Reconstructed packing material, and our letter...

Special shredder reports...