Identity Theft Is Scary—But Shredding Isn’t

👻 Identity Theft Is Scary—But Shredding Isn’t

Every Halloween, we dress up as ghosts and goblins. But the real fright? It’s not in costumes—it’s in compromised identities.

The Chilling Truth About Identity Theft

Identity theft isn’t just a digital problem. Paper breaches—lost, stolen, or improperly discarded documents—remain a major risk. According to the Federal Trade Commission:

• 🧾 Over 1.1 million identity theft complaints were filed in 2024—a 9.5% increase from the previous year

• 💸 Total losses from fraud (including identity theft) exceeded $12.7 billion

• 🧍‍♂️ About 1 in 5 Americans have been victims of identity theft in their lifetime

And while cybercrime gets the headlines, physical documents are often the weak link. A single misplaced file can expose names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and financial data.

Paper Breaches: The Silent Threat

Unlike encrypted digital records, paper documents are vulnerable to:

• 🗑️ Improper disposal (tossed in the trash instead of shredded)

• 🚪 Physical intrusion (break-ins at homes or offices)

• 📬 Loss or theft (left unattended or mishandled during transit)

These breaches can lead to financial fraud, account takeovers, and emotional distress. And the worst part? Victims often don’t know until it’s too late.

Shredding: Your First Line of Defense

Document destruction isn’t just a chore—it’s a shield. At Paper Chase, we make it easy to protect your privacy and the planet:

• 🔐 We securely destroy sensitive documents so they can’t be reconstructed

• ♻️ We recycle every shred, turning old files into new products

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 We’re family-owned and Portland-trusted, with nearly 40 years of service

Whether it’s old tax records, medical files, or business paperwork, shredding is the simplest way to stop identity theft before it starts.

Don’t Let Your Past Haunt You

This season, scare away the real monsters. Schedule a purge, drop off your boxes and bags, or call us for a pickup. Because nothing’s scarier than a stolen identity—and nothing’s easier than shredding it away.