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How private is your trash?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 30, 2007 7:14pm CST
Well, today was trash day and as usual we hauled our regular, non-recyclable trash out to the curb (where our trash cans are located) in sturdy black trash bags. Of course we always use black trash bags, cause it just feels like there's more privacy concerning the things we are throwing away.
Personally, I don't want my neighbors knowing what I am throwing away or which products I'm using. For some reason, it always feels like an invasion of privacy. Plus, I know of other neighbors who use the white or clear bags and you can always tell when they are throwing away credit card applications, even as you are passing their house in your car. And, to me, that's just an open invitation for someone to steal your identity.
You'd think that your trash would be safe from prying eyes, but I've heard that trash digging and dumpster diving is one of the leading ways that people steal other's identities. So, I try to make sure to always use extra strength black bags, and not the clear or white bags. And, put the bags out within an hour or so of pickup.
Do you always use precautions with your trash to make sure that others don't access your personal or private information, like bills, credit card statements or discarded credit card applications?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
31 Aug 07
My trash is very private. I teach at a small local college and there are often items in my trash with student names on them. I shred all those items. I also shred any mail that has any type of banking numbers, credit card numbers or anything like that on it. I shred just about all of my mail that I am throwing away! The shredder that I use is a criss cross shredder too...makes it much more difficult to piece together!
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
15 Jan 08
I went out and bought a shredder just as an extra security step. There are alot of sneaky ppl out there that would just love to get their hands on whatever personal information they can and once they start the damage it's hard to get it straightened out again.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
30 Sep 07
Great tips – I shred all credit card offers and anything else that might be able to give someone my identity- No trash for me- I don’t care if my neighbors see my household cleaners and such though- We don’t have a trash day- we live in the country- so it’s to the dump for our garbage- I’m hoping that they don’t go through our things- but then again who knows- I think using the Black heavy duty trash bags is a great idea-!
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Good point beautyqueen. I usually use the white trash bags and only pick up the black ones depending on which one is available on the shelf. I never thought of that. Our trash is picked up in the garage area from bins which we toss our rubbish bags into, and not on the side of the road, but still, it is something to think about.
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
6 Sep 07
Hello beautyqueen26,
I always keep my bills for a year in a designated file which I keep in my computer room. After that, I will shred them all. I never throw any bank statements, bills, expired driving license or any important documents direct into the bin. As for normal trash which are not that important *smiles*, I will just throw them into the black bags. I throw my trash daily.
@hermitcrabheaven (645)
• United States
2 Sep 07
We have a shredder that we use for anything that might have personal information on it or for any credit card or other stupid offers we get in the mail. I saw on a show one time where a guy got a credit card application, then ripped it up, tapped it back together, changed the address (to his parents house) then sent the application back in and he was approved!!! Without any confirmation by the CC company. Unbelievable.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
31 Aug 07
I do use the black trashbags also. I also shred all the personal mail with account numbers or credit card offers.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
31 Aug 07
I work at my towns transfer station/recycling center. Nowe, while the laws governing trash on the curb are vauge, if it is on your own property, it is YOURS and considered your own property. Once it enters our facility, it is considered to be property of the town of Lancaster. We advise people who dispose of paer trash, such as checks, bills, statements, etc, to shred these things as identity thieves are very inovative and can use such things to commit all sorts of crimes. Also, if you throw away a computer, remove the hard drive, SMASH IT to smithereens and make sure there are no discs or CD's in the drives. Hope this helps some.
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
31 Aug 07
Hi there. I make sure our trash is private, everythings, like paper with our names and numbers on them, anything containing a name, our bills etc, I make sure to shredd the lot... Because I watch a program where refuse workers went through the trash and got there hands on important numbers, which they then stole from... Shocking and true...
@LCecelia (1124)
• United States
1 Sep 07
Yes. I do take precaution with my trash ever since the dawn of more and more identity theft. I purchased a shredder for the sole purpose of shredding al the credit card invitations I'm being bombarded with. And as for the trash from food waste etc, in my city we have trash bins that you put your bagged up trash in. No nosy neighbors peeking. :-)
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
31 Aug 07
If I have sensitive info I shred it. Plus I keep half of it anyways and I do what I wish with it. Sometimes I burn sensitive info before throwing it away (kids don't try this at home. parents do this with caution -_-). Of course I could be just paranoid since no one goes through the garbage in our neighborhood. But there is also possible mishaps with the recycle bin, so I'm covering myself there. And finally, if I think someone is being suspicious I'll use amonia.
There's always hydrogen sulfide too, that'll really dissuade anyone from touching your garbage (***I recommend you DON'T do this***)
@insanity01 (48)
• Canada
31 Aug 07
I wasn't aware that the contribution to stolen identities were that great just from garbage picking alone. I guess it's simply because I assume that everyone is careful enough to dispose of personal information more securely such as shredding or at least ripping/cutting it up into many pieces like I do. Thanks for the thought :)
