By BCP Staff
When it comes to protecting your identity, you might think about keeping usernames to yourself, using strong passwords, and reviewing your statements. That’s all great. But it’s also important to think about what you do with documents or digital files that contain your financial information. So, let’s look at what you should keep and lock up, and what you should shred or delete.
Keep for a Year
Bank statements
Pay stubs
Undisputed medical bills
Credit card and utility bills
Deposited checks
If you can access these documents electronically, consider shredding your paper copies.
Keep for at Least Three Years
Income tax returns
Tax-related documents, like canceled checks, receipts, W-2s, and 1099s
Records related to selling a home
In some cases, the IRS recommends keeping tax returns and tax-related documents for longer than three years. If you can access these documents electronically, consider shredding your paper copies.
Keep While You Own
The title to your vehicle
The title or deed to your home
Documents related to mortgage or vehicle loans
Home improvement receipts
Rental agreements and leases
Sales receipts and warranty information for major appliances
Keep Forever
And lock up:
Birth certificate or adoption papers
Social Security cards
Valid passports and citizenship or residency papers
Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
Military records
Wills, living wills, powers of attorney, and retirement and pension plans
Death certificates of family members
Vital health records (especially those that pre-date electronic health records)
Shred
ATM receipts
Offers of credit or insurance
Cleared checks (after 14 days)
Credit reports
Prescription information for medicines you no longer take
Expired warranties
Expired credit cards, driver’s licenses, and other forms of identification
When it’s time to dispose of documents with your personal or financial information, shred them. If you don’t have a shredder, look for a local shred day in your community.
Find out what else you can do to protect yourself from identity theft.
