My Cart 0
    Questions? 1-800-944-4573 1-800-944-4573 Call to Order
    Search

    Product Suggestions

    Menu
    MyBinding Blog > shredding machine

    Are You FACTA-Compliant?

    by Leave a Comment

    1770055-sm

    If you’re like the average American, chances are you’ve heard about identity theft. Perhaps you’ve read about it online or heard about it from a friend. Or maybe you’ve even been a victim of it. Whatever your situation may be, it’s well-known that identity theft is a terrible, traumatizing crime and that you need to protect yourself from it. If you run any type of business, it’s now important for you to protect the identities and private information of your customers and employees as well. That’s because of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (FACTA).

    FACTA is a set of federal rules and regulations that require business owners and employers to carefully destroy any unneeded documents containing customer and employee information. This information includes names, contact information, Social Security numbers, financial history, and so on. For every employee, customer, and client you have, you need to safely dispose of this information whether it’s on paper or stored on a CD, floppy disk, etc. This applies to every business from busy parents who hire a nanny for their child to local mom-and-pop retailers all the way up to the most powerful law firms and largest corporations. Some of the documentation you need to properly dispose of include credit reports, medical records, employment applications and histories, and financial documents.

    Not complying with FACTA will get you in bring trouble. You could get sued by customers and former employees which can be embarrassing and detrimental to your reputation. There are also stiff fines you may have to pay: state fines can cost up to $1,000.00 while each federal violation could cost you as much as $2,500.00.

    The good news is that you can make yourself and your business FACTA-compliant by using paper shredders. These machines will properly destroy the documents so that all of that private information won’t become public knowledge. Paper shredders are available in many different sizes. Some are small enough to fit under desks and there are also larger ones that can be shared among multiple people. It would be a good idea to use a high-security cross-cut shredder such as the ones made by manufacturers such as Fellowes, Dahle, MBM, and Formax. For example, there’s the Fellowes Powershred HS-880 which has a Level 6 security rating (Level 6 is the highest rating) and can shred up to 8 sheets of paper per pass. If you’re in need of something that can destroy paper and electronic media, you can’t go wrong with a machine like the GBC Shredmaster GLHS930. It has a Level 5 rating and it can destroy CD’s and DVD’s along with paper. There are a lot of high-security shredders on the market, so you’re bound to find one that’s perfect for your needs.

    Being FACTA-compliant is something you need to do to protect your customers, clients, and your business so buy a paper shredder today. It will be one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

    Three Office Devices Every Administrative Assistant Needs

    by Leave a Comment

    mbm-87m-sm13Being an administrative assistant is hard work but the right office machines and supplies can make your job a lot easier. From computers to staplers, paper shredders to letter openers, the right equipment is essential. Thus, here are three office devices that every administrative assistant needs to make his or her day a little easier. Check them out….

    1. The Martin Yale 1624 Letter Opener. First on our list is the 1624, which is a handheld letter opener from Martin Yale. This device is small enough to fit in your desk drawer while still being powerful enough to open an envelope in just a few seconds. It’s powered by 4 AA batteries but is incredibly lightweight so using it is a comfortable experience even when you’re opening a lot of envelopes. This opener’s blades are totally enclosed so you’ll never have to worry about cutting yourself. Also, this letter opener comes with a one-year warranty.
    2. The Techko LF282N Paper Folder. Even though e-mail is now commonly used by just about everyone, there are still times when correspondence needs to be sent through the old-fashioned kind of mail. That’s where a paper folder like the Techko LF282N can come in handy. This machine can fold up to 5 sheets of paper at a time and it’s compatible with both letter- and A4-sized paper. When you use this device, your documents will come out of it perfectly folded so you can pop them into envelopes and move on to something else. Also, the LF282N is small enough to fit on your desk so you can always have easy access to it. Like the 1624 letter opener, it’s backed by a a one-year warranty.
    3. The GBC Shredmaster GDX1813 Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. Finally, every administrative assistant needs to have access a high-quality paper shredder. A particularly good one is the GBC Shredmaster GDX1813, a cross-cut machine that offers Level 3 security. This device can shred up to 18 sheets at a time and it will even destroy CD’s, credit cards, and document fasteners. It’s even equipped with a JamFree technology so you can shred a great deal without having to deal with a paper jam. (This technology will let you know if you’re trying to shred too much at once. You’ll then have a change to remove the materials to prevent a jam.) Since the GDX1813 has a large 13-gallon wastebasket, this would be a good machine for a shared work area. This is a very durable machine that comes with 2-year warranty on parts and labor while the cutting mechanism is covered for 20 years.

    All three of these devices can help make your job as an administrative assistant much easier. The letter opener and paper folder make it easy to process both incoming and outgoing mail so you can spend time on more important matters. The paper shredder will enable you to get rid of unwanted documents and keep your employer’s information private. See if you can get these products for your office to make your job easier.

    Five Creative Uses for Shredded Paper

    by Leave a Comment

    Shredder-bagShredding paper has become common in both the home and the workplace ever since identity theft started occurring at a startling pace. (Paper shredders are also more affordable than ever before.) Whether you shred just occasionally (say, to get rid of unsolicited credit card offers) or you shred a high volume of paper on a daily basis, there’s always the question of what to do with your shreds. Here’s a few ideas for you.

    1.) Recycling. If nothing else, you can always recycle your shreds. In fact, you should do this as opposed to throwing them in the trash. This prevents the landfills from getting even fuller and it helps save trees. Recycling is easy so you can take care of it quickly and then be done with it. Alternatively, you could compost the shreds if you prefer.
    2.) Starting fires. You can definitely use your shreds to help start a fire whether you’re at home or out in the woods. This is a great alternative to newspaper and lighter fluid since you won’t have to pay for the shreds and you need to get rid of them anyway. (Just be careful when starting your fire!)
    3.) Packing material. Shipping costs are always on the rise. Whether it’s stamps, boxing, or packing materials, these supplies get even more expensive with each passing year. But if you have a paper shredder, you can cut down on your costs by using your shreds as packing material. Just save the bits after you empty your machine’s waste bin and you’ll have something with which you can line your boxes. (This is especially true if you shred a lot of paper regularly.) If you have a cardboard shredder, you can also use that material when preparing your shipments.
    4.) Gift bags. Do you have a bunch of newspapers or magazines you want to get rid of? If so, you should run them through your shredder so you can use them in gift bags. This is a great, cost-effective alternative to commercial filler and the recipient of your gift will be impressed with your ingenuity.
    5.) Pet supplies. Pets enrich many people’s lives and if you have some of your own, your shreds can come in handy. For one thing, you can place some in your pocket pet’s cage so your critter can make a comfy nest out of it. You could also use the shreds to fill up a larger bed for your dog or cat. When you need to wash the cover, you can recycle the shreds and stuff new ones in after the cover has dried. (This will cut down on smells and give you a use for your new shreds.) Also, you might want to consider using your shreds in your cat’s litter box. That way, you can save money on kitty litter and your pet can remain comfortable. (Clay litter is tough on a cat’s paws and can cause problems if your pet has recently been declawed.)

    Shredding your paper can not only protect your identity, it can provide you with enough material for a variety of other uses from protecting items during shipping to making your pet happy. Shred your documents today with a high-security shredder so you can stay safe and get more use out of them.

    Ten Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft

    by Leave a Comment

    destroyit-2360-smc-sm1 With identity theft still on the rise, it’s more important than ever to take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe. People are being more careful with their information. But how can you be sure you’re doing enough? While there are always extremes lengths you could take, here is a list of key steps to protect your information.

    1. Only carry with you what you need. When leaving the house to shop or dine out, take the debit or credit card you plan to use as well as your ID. There’s no need to bring every card you possess and doing so increases your risk. If a potential thief sees your open wallet bursting with credit cards, you’ve immediately raised your risk. Even without a thief catching a glimpse of the contents, in the case of a random purse snatching or a lost satchel, having a card or two at home will help to cover your expenses until new cards can be issued.
    2. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet. That also goes for your passport and birth certificate. These are key items in stealing someone’s identity. They are better kept in a secure location, such as a safe or even a safety deposit box.
    3. Try not to put your social security number, driver’s license number, or phone number on your checks. Better yet, try not to use checks at all. They contain your account number as well as personal information and are an easy way for a thief to leach money out of your account.
    4. Be vigilant about checking your monthly bank and credit card statements. Immediately report any activity that is out of the ordinary. The sooner you report any suspected fraud, the quicker it can be resolved.
    5. Send bill payments from the post office. A locking mailbox at your house is fine to use as well. You can also use your bank’s online bill pay service, which is more secure than mailing a check.
    6. Check your credit report at least once a year. You are legally guaranteed one free report annually. Look carefully for any irregularities and report them as soon as possible.
    7. Immediately report any lost or stolen cards. Even if you think you know where it is, it’s better to report the card as lost just in case. Check your mail often until the new card arrives. If you don’t receive it within 15 days, call the company. The same goes for any reissued cards you may be expecting.
    8. Shred everything confidential. Especially anything containing your personal or financial information. Even preapproved credit card offers should be destroyed before disposing; having a card issued in your name is a prime way for thieves to glean your information.
    9. Make a list or photocopy of all your credit and debit card numbers, bank accounts, investments, and insurance account numbers with expiration dates and phone numbers for customer service and fraud reporting. Keep it in a secure place, such as a safe. This way you have all the necessary information including contact numbers in case your purse or wallet is stolen.
    10. Write “see photo ID” on the backs of your credit cards in permanent ink. Doing so will hopefully cause merchants to follow your request and catch any would-be users. Don’t grumble when asked for ID. Doing so will only encourage workers to stop checking and you’d hate for it to be your stolen card when an ID wasn’t asked for.

    While this isn’t a completely comprehensive list, following these tips will help prevent identity theft from happening to you.

    Preventing Identity Theft

    by Leave a Comment

    343601

    Identity theft is an increasing and constant threat. Here are some tips to help keep you from becoming a victim.

    PIN Numbers:

    There are several hard and fast rules when it comes to safeguarding your PIN numbers. When you are deciding on a PIN, do not choose something that someone can easily guess such as your birthdate or something similar. Often your bank will supply you with a PIN when they issue your ATM card. You might as well take the time to memorize this number rather than replacing it with your own.

    Another rule when it comes to PINs is to never keep it in your wallet. You should, in fact not keep in written form anywhere once you have it memorized.

    Passwords:

    You should change the passwords to your email, PayPal and online banking and credit card accounts quarterly of not more often. Use seven or eight characters and include both numbers and letters or even symbols if they are allowed. If you can avoid keeping your passwords stored on your computer, that would be best, but if there are simply too many to remember, you can keep them in a spread sheet that is named innocuously, or in other words, not “passwords.”

    Snail Mail:

    Take your mail out of the mailbox a soon as you can get to it. Identity thieves steal mail from mailboxes in order to get names, numbers, and even to apply for credit cards in your name. If you stop receiving mail, talk to your local post office immediately. In many cases, signatures have been forged on mail forwarding requests, and the thieves then used credit card statements and solicitations to get credit or run up charges.

    Credit card offers or unsolicited loan applications that you have no intention of using should be thoroughly destroyed in a cross cut paper shredder before you discard or recycle them. You can opt out of receiving credit card offers in the mail. Just search the term “stop credit card offers” and follow the links and instructions.

    Checks and Balances:

    Most banks these days give you the option of receiving your monthly statements via snail mail or by email. Email is the safer way to go, and it saves paper too. Whichever you decide, make sure that you go through your statement and can that you can account for every transaction. The same, of course, goes for your credit card statements.

    You might also want to do a periodic check of your credit rating through one of the major credit bureaus.

    Get A Good Paper Shredder:

    A good paper shredder is your first line of defense when it comes to preventing identity theft. Any documents that contain any sort of personal information should be shredded before they are discarded. Make sure that the shredder you purchase employs a cross cut rather than a strip cut, as the cross cut is much more secure. Items that should be shredded are the aforementioned bank and credit card statements and unused credit and loan applications, anything that contains your name and social security number, or that contains your signature.