Any documents that contain personal data or sensitive information are at risk for identity theft and should not be tossed in the trash. Paper shredding is the safe, effective solution.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission to steal your money, open credit accounts, make health insurance claims, file tax returns, collect unemployment insurance, and more.
There’s no way to completely eliminate the risks of identity theft. Fraudsters can be quite devious, manipulative, and tricky. However, you can still be proactive to help protect yourself.
Using a Scissor to Cut Sensitive Documents Isn’t “Cutting It”
Even just one personal document in the trash puts you at risk for identity theft. Think about what you place in the trash: bank statements, receipts, invoices, paystubs, medical documents, and junk mail. Anyone can read your sensitive information and wreak havoc on your life by stealing your identity.
Consider this; fraudsters may attempt to steal many types of your information, including:
:: Name
:: Address
:: Driver’s license, Social Security number, or passport
:: Bank account and credit card numbers
:: Health insurance account numbers
You may be thinking that you religiously cut or rip sensitive papers in half before discarding them into the trash. Well, think again. Doing so typically leaves the information still readable. The only real way to safely destroy the sensitive details on a sheet of paper is to use a shredder that will effectively shred paper documents making them unreadable. Shredding helps to ensure that your personal information stays out of the wrong hands.
And a paper shredder is easy to use. You simply feed the paper into the slot and the shredder does the rest.
My Search For the Ideal At-Home Shredder
I have had two shredders in the past. One weighed a ton and moving it from room to room was like a weightlifting workout. The other, was a bit lighter, but the entire top of the shredder, basically the shredding mechanism, had to be removed off the waste bin and placed on the floor to dump out the shredded paper. It was awkward and cumbersome.
So, I was on the lookout for a shredder that was not too large, not too heavy to move, easy to empty, and not too expensive. I also wanted to avoid the issue with previous models of jamming due to unremoved staples or credit cards that slipped in among the documents I was attempting to shred. If you ever had something thick jammed in a paper shredder, you know how frustrating the situation can be. My ideal shredder would also be able to easily shred multiple pages simultaneously.
The HP MC83 Microcut Shredder met my requirements, and I was pleased to learn that a “micro-cut” feature offered more precise finer shreds. The price is $119.99 on HPofficesupply.com but it is also sold by other retailers as well.
What’s inside the box:
:: Shredder top
:: Shredder cabinet
:: 4 caster wheels
:: User manual
About the HP MC83 Microcut Shredder
The HP Microcut Shredder is ideal for destroying confidential documents and protecting sensitive information from identity theft.
Features of the HP Microcut Shredder that I appreciate:
:: Manual feed
:: Shreds 8 sheets at one time
:: Shreds credit cards and staples
:: Drop down front 3.4-gallon pullout bin makes for no mess emptying
:: Castors allow for easy mobility
Shred Multiple Pages Into Tiny Fragments at Once
The HP Microcut Shredder shreds quickly and efficiently, with minimal effort. It transforms bulky papers into tiny, unreadable pieces, ensuring sensitive information stays secure. Consider the traditional method of tearing up papers by hand. It’s tedious, and you never quite achieve the same level of security. A shredder is infinitely more quick and efficient.
The HP Microcut Shredder can shred eight sheets in a single pass and will make quick shredding work on credit cards and staples. Shreds paper into 0.169″ x 0.512″, in other words, teeny tiny slivers that are unreadable.
Manual Feed, Easy Operation
The HP Microcut Shredder (MC83) is easy to operate. This unit can shred at a speed of 4.8 seconds per sheet. Its 3/4 hp AC motor operates at a noise level of 69 dB. Yes, all shredders make an annoying sound while chopping papers into bits, but well worth the annoyance.
Handy Drop-Down Bin Empties Easily
You can see at a glance through the viewing window when the bin is full and needs emptying. You simply pull out the bin and easily empty the shredded documents into the trash. Then, place the empty bin back in the unit and continue shredding documents.
Ideal For Home and Office Use
Whether you need to shred documents at home or in an office setting, the HP Microcut Shredder is the perfect tool. While personal documents at home may be your bank statements or other personal information, in a business setting, you would be protecting confidential financial information about your company, private information about employees, or even client records.
The sleek design of the HP Microcut Shredder fits well in any setting, and the casters allow you to move the unit from room to room with ease. I sometimes use my shredder near the filing cabinet in my home office. Other times, I like to wheel it into my living room so I can shred while watching television.
HP Microcut Shredder is Cost-Effective and More Convenient
Some folks use professional paper shredding companies to destroy sensitive documents. These services charge by the pound or based on a bin/box size. So, in my humble opinion, the solution of a home paper shredder can make it possible to save time and money.
Also, having a paper shredder at home lets you shred documents with sensitive information sooner rather than later (if you use a service).
Specifications of the HP Microcut Shredder
:: Model #: MC83
:: Dimensions: 17.40″ x 12.52″ x 7.68″
:: Weight: 13.67 lbs.
:: Speed: 4.8 seconds per page
:: Motor size: 0.73hp
:: Noise Level (dB): 69 dB
:: Basket capacity: 3.4 Gallons
:: 1 Year Warranty
HP Microcut Shredder Helps Reduce Paper Clutter
The HP Microcut Shredder is not only a must-have tool for data protection, but it also helps to reduce paper clutter to keep your home or office organized. Let’s face it, junk mail … outdated bank statements … or medical papers, paper clutter is a real problem. Using a paper shredder to shred documents is a great way to manage and reduce the volume of miscellaneous documents, especially those with sensitive data.
Paper Shredder Provides Peace of Mind
When I go to sleep at night, the last thing I want to worry about is whether I threw away a document that could instigate identity theft. That’s why a paper shredder like the HP Microcut Shredder can help provide peace of mind. Paper shredders help eliminate the catastrophic threat of identity theft. A shredder eliminates the worry that your personal data is still exposed even when you shove the papers way down in your trash bin.
Helping To Keep My Identity Secure And My Home Clutter Free
So, you may be wondering “How would I know if my identity has been stolen?” That’s a great question.
Here are a few key identity theft signs to look out for:
:: Unrecognizable credit card charges
:: Bank account withdrawals you didn’t make
:: A credit report that you never requested
:: Bills for an unfamiliar account or medical visits
:: Debt collector calls or notices.
:: Credit score unexplainably drops
This one product has given me three wonderful results … (1) protecting my identity (2) reducing paper clutter, and (3) giving me more peace of mind.
One More Benefit: Shredding is FUN! The satisfaction of shredding a pile of unnecessary documents is rewarding. It’s almost as satisfying as popping bubble wrap.
