16 Important Documents You Should Always Shred (Not Just Throw Away)

Your mailbox may be full of paper that could spell disaster if it falls into the wrong hands. Failing to properly dispose of sensitive documents can leave you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

Yet, many people make ‌the surprising financial mistake of keeping papers they should have shredded years ago.

If you hope to avoid wasting money on preventable financial mishaps, now is the time to clean house. Here is a list of must-shred documents that might be lurking in your home.

Expired IDs and unused credit cards

Identity thieves can use expired IDs and credit cards. Some expired cards still have valid card numbers, making them prime tools for fraud.

Shred these cards once they're no longer in use, and never simply toss them in the trash.

Driver's license renewal receipts

When renewing your driver's license, you'll receive a temporary paper receipt. Keep this only until your new license arrives, then shred it.

These receipts often contain personal information that could be exploited if lost or stolen.

Old medical information

Outdated medical records, bills, and insurance statements all contain sensitive health information and personal details. Keeping these documents for longer than a year unnecessarily increases your risk of medical identity theft.

Resumes and cover letters

Resumes, cover letters, and other employment application paperwork contain personal details like addresses, phone numbers, and employment histories. That is the kind of information identity thieves love.

Pet medical documents

Pet medical records might not seem like a security threat, but they often include your name, address, and phone number.

Additionally, an Aura survey found that 39% of "pet parents" have used their pet's name as a part of their password for an online account.

If your pet's records aren't needed for ongoing care, shred these documents and update your passwords while you're at it.

Outdated insurance records

Outdated insurance policies and claim records contain policy numbers, beneficiary details, and other sensitive financial information.

Your employer might even be listed if you're part of a group coverage plan. Once a policy expires, shred these records.

Boarding passes

Boarding passes contain more than just your flight details. They can include frequent flyer numbers and personal data that scammers use to access travel accounts.

Travel itineraries

Much like boarding passes, printed travel itineraries can be used by criminals to verify your identity. Avoid leaving them in hotel rooms or tossing them intact.

Tax-related documents

Tax-related documents should be kept for up to seven years in case of an audit, but anything older than that can be securely shredded.

Old home and vehicle titles

Once you sell a home or vehicle, you no longer need the corresponding title. These documents can be used in scams, so dispose of them securely.

Prescription labels

Prescription bottles often include your full name, medication details, and pharmacy information. Thieves can use this data for medical fraud or even to attempt to refill prescriptions.

Always remove and shred labels before disposing of medication containers.

Return shipping labels

Online shopping is convenient, but your return labels include your name and address, making them a prime target for identity thieves. Peel off and shred any shipping labels.

Canceled checks and bank statements

Even if a check is canceled, it still has account details that can be exploited. The same goes for old bank statements.

Pay stubs

Your pay stubs contain sensitive information, including income details, bank accounts, and tax withholdings. Once you've reconciled them with your W-2 end-of-year earning statement, shred them.

However, keep in mind that in some instances, you will need to have up to three months of pay stubs on hand as proof of income for a rental application, auto financing, or other loans.

Junk mail

Junk mail may seem harmless, but pre-approved credit cards and mortgage refinance offers can be used by scammers to open accounts in your name. While it may be junk to you, it's a gold mine for thieves.

Sticky notes

Many people scribble down passwords, PINs, phone numbers, or other sensitive information on sticky notes. Don't just throw sticky notes away; shred them.

Bottom line

Some documents, such as wills, should be kept indefinitely, but many others can and should be shredded once they're no longer necessary.

If in doubt, scan important documents before shredding them and back up the documents to the cloud or other online storage space. This small habit can help you eliminate some money stress by protecting your identity and preventing fraud. It's also a good way to improve your financial fitness.

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