What Should You Shred?
If it contains sensitive information, it should be destroyed — not recycled, not thrown away. Here's a complete guide to what belongs in the shredder.
The Golden Rule
When in Doubt, Shred It
Identity theft and data breaches often start with improperly discarded documents. Federal and state laws require businesses to destroy records containing personal, financial, and health information. But even documents that aren't legally required to be shredded can expose your business or customers to risk. Our rule of thumb: if it has a name, number, or account on it — shred it.
Learn about our shredding services
Millions of identity theft cases start with improperly discarded documents.
Document Categories
Documents That Must Be Shredded
Financial Records
- Bank statementsAny statement showing account numbers or balances
- Credit card statementsIncluding offers and convenience checks
- Pay stubs & payroll recordsEmployee compensation and tax withholding data
- Tax returns & W-2sFederal and state returns, supporting documents
- Loan & mortgage documentsApplications, approval letters, account numbers
- Investment statementsBrokerage accounts, 401(k), IRA statements
Personal Identifying Information
- Expired IDs & passportsDriver's licenses, state IDs, passports
- Social Security documentsCards, correspondence, benefit statements
- Pre-approved credit offersUnsolicited credit card and loan offers
- Utility billsAny bill showing your name and address
- Insurance policiesHealth, auto, home, and life insurance documents
- Receipts with card numbersAny receipt showing full or partial card data
Medical & Health Records
- Explanation of benefits (EOBs)Insurance payment summaries from providers
- Prescription labels & bottlesLabels showing patient name and medication
- Medical test resultsLab reports, imaging results, diagnoses
- Patient intake formsAny form with health history or personal data
- Medical bills & statementsProvider invoices and insurance correspondence
- X-rays & filmPhysical film and printed imaging records
Business Documents
- Employee records & HR filesApplications, performance reviews, disciplinary records
- Customer & client dataContact lists, purchase history, account records
- Contracts & agreementsVendor, client, and employment contracts
- Legal correspondenceAttorney letters, court documents, settlements
- Proprietary & trade secretsProduct formulas, business plans, pricing strategies
- Outdated policy manualsOld employee handbooks, procedure documents
What NOT to Shred
Some documents should be retained permanently or for a specific number of years. Shredding these prematurely can create legal and financial problems.
"Renewed Solutions made our annual document purge completely painless. They showed up on time, handled everything professionally, and had our certificate of destruction to us within the hour."
Stephan Bennet
Operations Manager, DFW Healthcare Group
Ready to Shred?
Schedule a one-time purge or set up a recurring shredding program. We serve businesses of all sizes across the DFW area.