Law firms need to keep most records for seven years, though they are required to keep certain documents for 10 years or forever. A probate attorney must keep wills and trusts for as long as the client is alive. 

COVID-19 caused a lot of changes in offices and at home. Now that things are starting to get back to the new normal, having a plan in place for your return to the office should be a high priority. Decluttering all the paperwork from the past year, and getting ready to re-implement new data security protocols can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.

Tax records should always be shredded by a professional. Identity thieves are notorious for sifting through the trash and piecing together documents after shredding with an aftermarket device. Using professional shredding services can help prevent identity theft.

Technology gets old. When it’s time to get rid of those computers and software, where does it go? Most people don’t know what to do with old electronics or technology and keep it around for a long time. Businesses work with companies for electronics disposal or have the old technology sitting in a warehouse until they figure out what to do with it.

It’s tax time and the identity thief vultures are circling. One of the best things you can do is learn how to dispose of tax records. There are tons of shredding services that can ensure your identity is confidential and you won’t have to worry about your sensitive documents being compromised. Every year, companies and individuals are victims of tax fraud which makes it even more important to understand what needs to be done to keep your identities safe.

Your business is easier than ever, thanks to technology that allows you to digitalize documents and communicate via email and various live meeting platforms. You can save all that data to a hard drive and run a search on it when you need to find information. It’s much easier than keeping everything in paper files and having to read everything to find what you need.

Many industries, including legal, medical and financial industries, are required to keep records for several years – sometimes as long as 10 years. In some cases, your business must keep certain records for over 10 years. These documents take up a lot of space in the office – and may not be completely secure.

All of us have our own methodology when it comes to tax season. Some of us haul out a thick stack of documents and receipts, and then attempt to sift through it all. Some turn everything over to an accountant and hope for the best. But regardless of whether you itemize or not, your tax documents could be a gateway to identity theft if you're not careful. From stolen mail to dumpster dives, this is a popular season for criminals to go after you. In addition, you'll need to hang onto certain documents just in case you're audited at some point down the line. As you go through all the forms, we'll give you a better idea of what should (and should not) head straight to the shredder.

Whether you are a business or an individual, identity protection is a major concern, especially now that most people have more than one device. However, though you might get many of your confidential documents via the internet, you still have plenty of paper documents. Virus protection, malware fighters, good firewalls, credit monitoring and other programs help to protect your online life. But what protects those physical documents that you have? The best way to keep people from stealing your identity by getting your paper documents is document destruction. This doesn’t mean just throwing them away or shredding them into strips. Thieves can put the strips back together. Instead, have your documents destroyed professionally by Carolina Shred’s cross-cut shredders.

Organizations of every size and in every industry benefit from specialty document shredding services. Secure and timely shredding can help protect your organization’s proprietary information as well as the confidential information of your employees and clients, like their account numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. At the same time, failure to comply with retention guidelines – that is, shredding documents before it's time to shred them - can put your organization at risk.

When it’s time to upgrade your computer, or you’re forced to upgrade because of outdated technology, you will probably move all of the data on the current hard drive to the new hard drive. However, that doesn’t mean the data is gone, even if you erase it after you’ve transferred it. Any criminal could get the hard drive and steal the data off of it. Even if you “wipe” the drive, a hacker could recover some or all of your sensitive data. To adequately protect your private data, and that of your clients if you are upgrading a business computer, contact Carolina Shred about our hard drive destruction services.

When it comes to getting rid of documents and other technology, many people opt to do it themselves without realizing how quickly they are compromising sensitive information. While it is always good to use a firm that specializes in hard drive destruction, it is much better to physically destroy your hard drive instead of using a data wiping program. It’s important to note that physically destroying the hard drive doesn’t mean dropping it on the floor and thinking you’ve damaged it enough to harm the data on it. It takes much more than that.

Most offices have a records retention schedule that determines how long the office has to keep client or patient records. At the end of the retention time, the office may shred the files if the clients or patients do not want them. Personnel should use proper procedures for document destruction of those documents and files that have an expired retention time. For example, the law requires many law offices to retain client files for at least seven years. At the end of seven years, the office may destroy the files if the client does not want them.

Many businesses have confidential files that must be destroyed daily as those files reach the end of their retention schedule. Shredding these documents with a small office shredder not only takes up employee time but if the shredder is not a cross-cut shredder, it is possible for someone to recreate the documents. Carolina Shred provides locked shredding bins and on site shredding for businesses so that office personnel may dispose of old documents in a safe manner with less cost. Business shredding with Carolina Shred also saves a business money.

Document shredding is the best way to get rid of any document with personal information, but can paper shredding be eco-friendly? Yes. In fact, it is better for the environment to shred documents you no longer need. The trucks that come out to your business or home are very efficient on gas mileage, plus the collection console use low-emissions materials.

Any firm, whether medical, law, accounting or other industry that deals with client records, should use shredding services. These types of firms must keep client records for a specific amount of time, after which, if the client doesn’t want his or her file, the file may be disposed of. However, you can’t just dump the file in the landfill.

Accounting firms, like many other firms, must get rid of old files responsibly. Because of the nature of the information contained in an accounting firm’s files, the files cannot be thrown in the trash – they must be destroyed so that they cannot be put back together.

Protecting confidential information in the office is one of the most important functions a business does. If confidential information gets out to the public by any means, the business could be subject to fines. When a business hires new employees, part of the orientation should include procedures to protect confidential information. Your business should also hold "reminder" meetings regarding protecting documents. 

Law firms must keep client documents for a set number of years depending on the type of file. Some documents, such as wills, trusts and other estate planning documents should be kept for at least the lifetime of the client. However, if all files were kept forever, it would become a financial burden because of the space those files take. After the requisite number of years have passed, those files may be destroyed after notifying the client.

Most offices have several types of confidential information. You may think that just because you aren’t a large company that employee and customer confidentiality isn’t a major issue. However, no matter the size of your company, you do have confidential information and security risks. Learn how to keep information confidential so that you aren’t liable for fines or lawsuits from employees and customers should their information get into the wrong hands.

Law firms are notorious for accumulating box after box of sensitive case files and other confidential information.  Attorneys are held to high standards when it comes to protecting client information.

Files must be kept for a certain period of time after the case closes, and some files may not be destroyed. RPC 209 requires that attorneys keep documents for a minimum of six years after a case closes before document shredding can occur.

However, items such as estate documents, real estate documents and some financial documents should be kept forever. An attorney may destroy a file prior to the six-year minimum, but he or she must have permission from the client. Since files are the client’s property, the attorney also has the option of giving the file to the client.

Shredding important documents – documents with any personal information, even an address – is one of the most important things you can do whether you are a business or an individual. Most people and businesses realize that shredding documents that no longer need to be kept is important, but some do not realize just how important it is. The top 5 reasons to shred documents includes identity theft and protection of customer data.

Many may wonder, “Why is confidentiality in the workplace so important?” Some information is obvious, such as employee or client social security numbers and financial information. Other information, such as certain business information and management information may not be so obvious. However, trade secrets and other information are usually highly confidential. Training employees as to what constitutes confidential business information goes a long way in protecting your business.

Definition: Document Shredding

document shredding defined in under 100 words

Document shredding is the act of destroying paper documents by inserting them into a home, office, commercial, or mobile shredding device.  Document shredding services can help prevent identity thieves from obtaining sensitive information and exposing your clients, employees, and vendors information to financial conflicts.

Types of documents that should be shredded include:

• Medical Records
• Tax Returns
• Employee Information
• Credit Cards
• Banking Accounts

One your entire organization learns how to handle confidential documents in the office, your trade secrets, employee information and customer information will be much safer. Part of handling confidential information best practices guidelines is knowing what documents are confidential. In addition to the physical handling and access of paper and digital information, employees should sign non-disclosure agreements (“NDA”). In some cases, you may need third parties who work with your company to sign NDAs.

When it's time for a new computer, you need to take some steps to ensure that the data from the old hard drive isn't accessible. Even if you “wiped” the drive, some of your private data, such as passwords and bank account information, may still be accessible. The only way to ensure that someone isn't able to retrieve your private information is by ensuring that the hard drive is completely destroyed so that data is not retrievable. 

Mobile shredding trucks come out to your home or business to shred sensitive documents. You could either set up a schedule for us to come out or have us purge documents. If you are a business that has a lot of confidential information to discard, we provide locked boxes for you to deposit your documents into. As the boxes are filled, we come out and shred the contents. You might have us on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule. If you are purging, you might be a resident or a business that has documents that were saved for a recommended time that you need to get rid of.

If you have tons of documents to shred, whether you are a business or a residential customer, you need to dispose of those documents in a safe, secure, and environmental friendly way. Destroying old documents helps mitigate stolen information that unscrupulous people may use to steal your identity and benefit off you. For businesses owners, this is very important as you are legally required to keep your customers' information safe and out of the hands of criminals.

When you shred documents yourself, someone with a lot of patience is still able to piece together the documents to gather private information about you or your clients and customers. Mobile shredding trucks cross-cut shredders that make it nearly impossible to piece together documents, plus the shredded documents are bagged and recycled. Instead of taking a chance of becoming an identity theft victim because of stolen documents, find a mobile shredding company near me to shred your documents and old digital media.  Carolina Shred offers mobile onsite shredding services for businesses in the Charlotte NC and surrounding areas.

A free shredding event raised over $2,000 for Tega Cay Camp cadets. The shredding event was held at the Tega Cay Police Department and Carolina Shred provided the shredding trucks. American Burger Co. served burgers. Over 100 local residents brought personal documents to be shredded and over 350 local residents attended the event.

The risks and threats of company data being purposely stolen or inadvertently “shared” are high unless you have excellent security measures in place. Some of the challenges businesses have in securing data may easily be overcome with a good security plan put in place, including locked boxes for documents that need to be shredded.

Over 78 percent of business and organizations have had their data breached in 2010 and 2011, according to a Ponemon Institute Study. Even with the advent of new security programs over the last year or two, companies still continue suffering data breaches. Insiders, negligent employees and hackers may all pose threats to data security and integrity.

Maybe you rip documents into teeny tiny pieces before tossing them into the trash. Perhaps you cut old credit cards with scissors prior to discarding them. Maybe you go a step further and toss these pieces into separate garbage bags to make them less likely to be put back together in a sinister jigsaw puzzle entertaining an identity theft. If you already take these steps to protect personal information, then you might as well learn about document shredders, the difference between a commercial shredder and a standard home shredder, and what steps you should be taking to safeguard your sensitive information or your customers' information if your company has yet to establish a document discard policy. 

Shredding documents help keep your identity from being stolen. Even things that seem innocent, such as prescription labels, could help someone steel your identity. Even though things like your address and phone number might be public record, identity thieves could pair this easy-gotten information with other information to make stealing identities easier. They may even use relatives' names to locate your social media pages.

Shredders are inundated with shredding industry legislation to keep your information safe. Several laws exist to help keep your personal information safe from identity thieves. Shredding companies like Carolina Shred must abide by these laws, whether you are a business or an individual that uses the company to destroy personal records, whether paper or electronic.

If you are one of the few companies that still uses paper documents or keeps paper documents, the information contained in them may be at risk. Keeping paper documents without the proper security allows anyone to raid recycling bins or trash cans. And, if employees leave confidential information on their desks, anyone could walk by and take the documents or copy the information.

Hackers cost the medical industry over $6 billion per year, and that number is steadily growing, according to an IT security researcher, the Ponemon Institute. Because the protections are lax at physicians' practices and at hospitals, they are easy targets. And, combined with that, with one person's medical record commanding up to $1,000 on the darknet, this industry is a ripe target. Compare this to $0.25 for a credit card number and $0.10 for a social security number.

Certain businesses, including medical businesses, are subject to HIPPA regulations. This means that records must be kept secure for a certain amount of time, and they must be disposed of properly when it's time to get rid of them. For medical facilities, there may be several different rules, rather than one set rule that states you must keep documents for a certain number of years.

Before hiring a shredding company, many businesses, particularly those who deal with secure documents, have common questions about document shredding. Carolina Shred handles all documents with the utmost care, ensuring that any confidential information stays confidential and that your documents and other items that require shredding are secure.

Now that your taxes are done – hopefully – you may get rid of some of that paper that is taking up space in your filing cabinet. But, you don't get to throw all of it out, not just yet. What you can throw out should be shredded by a shredding company such as Carolina Shred.

The why recycle shredded paper question is easily answered. It’s to safeguard confidential documents and maintain privacy. But, when it comes time to recycle that shredded paper, there are some problems that you need to be aware of. When paper is shredded, the lengths of the individual paper fibers are cut. This can reduce the recycling potential of that fiber. Also, when mixed paper from businesses and households are shredded, that paper gets grabbed by automated screens that get pulled into the reject bin and go off to the landfill. Shredded paper is also difficult to sort from other recyclables.  So, why should you recycle that shredded paper?

When you notice transactions on your bank account or credit card that you know you didn't make, your heart sinks, knowing that your information was somehow compromised. The first thought through your head is, “My identity was stolen, this needs to get fixed.” However, several steps must be taken to repair the damage, and it may seem overwhelming at first. So that you don't miss anything, make a list of what to do if your identity is stolen. So how do you prevent identity theft and what steps to take if your identity is stolen.

Do you just toss most junk mail and other documents that become useless in the trash? You could be setting yourself up for identity theft if you do. Certain documents should be kept forever, some should be kept for a number of years, and some could be thrown away immediately. However, you should take note of what kind of information is contained in those documents before you chuck them.

Information is power. However, that information can damage your company’s privacy and even the business itself. It can also lead to security breaches and identity theft. And when it comes to document destruction, there are federal and state laws on how to properly dispose of data. The risks that documents fall under include:

As a business, it’s important to destroy documents according to a retention schedule. There are specific regulations and rules that need to be followed in order to stay on the right side of the law. And keeping some documents for longer than needed can cause as many problems as not keeping those documents long enough.

According to the SBA, Small Businesses employ about half of the nation’s private workforce.

At some point, you will need to get rid of important documents and papers that contain sensitive information like:

• Client information
• Employee records
• Medical records
• Tax records
• Credit card statements

Stacking them in a corner of your home office, or under your bed, only works for so long. Eventually you will need to toss out those old tax returns, pay stubs, receipts and other once-important papers.