On Site Paper Shredding FAQs

Why should my company shred documents?
Since we have a shredder, why do we need to outsource to an on site shredding service?
With fewer than ten employees, does it make sense for us to outsource document shredding?
Does it cost a lot to use an on site paper shredding company?
What else can you destroy besides paper?
How long must I keep documents before they can be destroyed?
Is a paper shredding schedule necessary?
What do I have to do to prepare documents for destruction?
What happens to the documents after they are destroyed?
How secure are your paper shredding containers?
Do you require your employees to be bonded?
Do you require your employees to undergo drug testing?
How much can you shred in an hour?
Can I witness destruction of my information?
Why don’t you offer off-site document destruction?
What customer support do you offer?
Do you provide online paper shredding services?
Do you offer a certificate of document destruction?
What regulations do you adhere to?
Do you submit to audits?
Do you offer a paper shredding service guarantee?
How do you implement privacy and security compliance?
What are payment and billing options?

Why should my company shred documents?

You have a legal responsibility to keep sensitive customer and employee information from falling into the wrong hands. Businesses can no longer throw confidential documents away. Eliminating certain data in a timely fashion limits your liability in litigation and protects proprietary information from competitors. Our paper shredding service will securely eliminate confidential information.

Since we have a paper shredder, why do we need to outsource paper shredding?

Most office-size paper shredders take time to feed and cannot accommodate sizable quantities of documents. Larger capacity document shredders involve capital investment, maintenance, and service calls. Last, large and compact paper shredders alike share the same basic problem – eventually they all break.

With fewer than ten employees, does it make sense for us to outsource document shredding?

Absolutely. Small organizations have limited personnel resources, and they may need to outsource paper shredding more than larger companies. We provide convenient bins onsite and conduct paper shredding according to your schedule.

Does it cost a lot to use a document destruction company?

Paper shredding is a non-revenue producing function that eats up valuable employee hours. When you consider how much it costs for one of your employees to do the job, you’ll find outsourcing this tedious task to us will save you time and money.

How does East Coast Shredding mobile shredding work?

We provide on-site document shredding services using our state-of-the-art mobile paper shredding trucks. On days designated by the schedule you develop with us, our bonded drivers will arrive and shred on-site all materials collected from you’re East Coast Shredding consoles and bins. Our “hands free” shredding process means our employees do not directly handle your documents. The paper is deposited directly from the collection bins into the shredding compartment via the bin hoist on the side of the truck.

What else can you destroy besides paper?

Our trucks will shred just about anything. We can destroy paper clips, staples, books, small amounts of discs, and CD ROMs in the regular paper shredding pick-ups. When needed, we can destroy items such as hard drives, reel tapes, cassette tapes, and large amounts of plastics, discs, or CD ROMs when a special “product” run is requested.

How long must I keep documents before they can be destroyed?

The period of time that business records are stored should be determined by a retention schedule that takes into account the useful value of documents to the business and governing legal requirements. By not adhering to ongoing destruction of documents that have outlived their usefulness, businesses exhibit disposal practices that could be negatively construed in the event of litigation or audit.

Is a paper shredding schedule necessary?

By destroying records according to a set schedule, a company appropriately limits risk. Based on your company’s needs, we will schedule a regular time—daily, weekly, monthly—to destroy and then recycle your sensitive material.

What do I have to do to prepare documents for destruction?

Nothing more than deposit them in the bins and consoles placed around your office. There is no need to remove paper clips, staples, or any other type of binding.

What happens to the documents after they are destroyed?

All shredded paper is securely recycled through our partnerships with recyclers. Every day, East Coast Shredding trucks are emptied at various paper dealers throughout the region. Many of our larger customers require that we report the actual poundage recycled per location.

How secure are your containers?

We offer and maintain a number of different options in regards to lockable security containers. Choice of bin size and type is solely at your discretion and can be altered at any time during the engagement.

Do you require your employees to be bonded?

Yes. We seek and employ individuals with only the highest level of integrity and competency among our operations, driver, and customer service employees. When hiring, we prefer retired military, police, and fire/emergency personnel, who have proven time and again that they make the right decisions regardless of the situation. All employees are bonded, and uniformed.

Do you require your employees to undergo drug testing?

Yes. We require our employees to participate in drug testing upon hire and to submit to random drug testing during the term of their employment.

How much can you shred in an hour?

All of our trucks shred over 6,000 pounds of paper per hour.

Can I witness destruction of my information?

Yes. On-site monitoring is available through cameras installed in the paper shredding and collection compartments in the trucks. Video recording of the shredding process is available.

Why don’t you offer off-site document destruction?

Given the risk associated with the transportation of highly confidential paper, we do not offer off-site document shredding. Regardless of the amount of insurance the paper shredding company has, no amount of money will redeem the loss associated with the bad publicity of leaked information. Your information will not leave your parking lot until it is shredded.

What customer support do you offer?

We recognize that customer satisfaction is earned every week with every service. And we have earned the reputation of offering the best, most reliable service in the industry.

Do you provide online paper shredding services?

Not at this time.

Do you offer a certificate of document destruction?

We can issue a Certificate of Destruction form when records have been destroyed. The form will include data and method of destruction, description of the disposed records, dates covered, statement that records were destroyed as part of the normal course of business, and signatures and names of individuals supervising and witnessing the destruction. We can also provide detailed monthly recycle poundage and quality reports.

What regulations do you adhere to?

We are a member of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). We adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Do you submit to audits?

Yes.

Do you offer a paper shredding service guarantee?

Yes. East Coast Shredding can and will provide a level of service that guarantees the privacy of the destructed materials and meet all government standards.

How do you implement privacy and security compliance?

We comply with HIPPA requirements and adhere to all other requirements and regulations for the destruction of confidentiality of proprietary materials. We have procedures we require our drivers to follow regarding the servicing of bins, the transporting of confidential material to the truck, and the shredding of the material.

What are payment and billing options?

We provide monthly billing. We also take Visa and Master Card, and even cash payments, by phone or how ever you would like to be set up.

Are you shredding documents yourself?

Do you shred documents yourself to save money? If you're a business professional who thinks that "feeding the office shredder" is a cost effective way to protect your clients, customers or patients from identity theft and the unauthorized disclosure of private information…then we'd like to challenge you to calculate your own costs, to see just how much money "do it yourself shredding" is costing you. An Office Shredder Costs A Lot More Than You'd Think. To illustrate, let's take a look at a typical small business office. As soon as information destruction laws went into effect they purchased a modestly priced personal shredder (Fellowes Power Shred SB-97C) for $185. The chart below shows how much it cost this small business to operate their office shredder.

Office Shredder Cost Analysis
Number of employees	5
* Shred time (minutes) per day for each employee	3
Total Daily Shred Time (Minutes)	15
Average hourly wage (including benefits)	$16.19
Total daily shred time (Hours)	0.25
Number of work days per month	21.67
Number of hours per month employees shred	5.42
Total Monthly Labor Cost To Shred	$87.71
Purchase price of Fellowes Power Shred SB-97C	$185
Life expectancy of shredder (Number of months)	60
Monthly depreciation cost	$3.08
Monthly maintenance cost	$4.73
Total Monthly Equipment Cost	$7.81
Total labor cost	$87.71
Total equipment cost	$7.81
Total Monthly Cost of Office Shredder	$95.52

What to Shred - Secure Document Shredding

Every business produces proprietary information that requires shredding once its usefulness has expired. In fact, companies are legally bound to destroy confidential documents related to their employees or clients.

When these laws are ignored and information ends up in a dumpster, a business exposes itself to the dual risk of criminal exploitation and civil prosecution—as well as the loss of credibility in the eyes of valuable clients. Protect yourself using our secure paper shredding services.

In order to mitigate risk, secure papers and documents on the personal, corporate, and client levels should be destroyed on a regular schedule, as soon as it has outlived its usefulness. East COast Shredding provides a secure paper shredding service.

No matter what type of data your business generates—the information you choose to protect when in use should also be protected when you discard it!

Examples of secure documents to shred:
Personal Information Addresses ATM receipts Bank account information Bank statement Brokerage account information Cancelled & voided checks Credit & debit card numbers Credit reports and histories Drivers’ license numbers Employee pay stubs Employment records Insurance policy data Investment documents Medical and dental records Passport number Resumes Social Security number Telephone number Tax forms Travel itineraries Used airline tickets	Files and Records Account records Audits Bank statements Competitive information Computer records Contracts Correspondence Diligence files Fax machine ribbons Financial records Insurance records Intellectual property records Internal memos Invoices Legal documents Market research Marketing material Obsolete contracts Official notices Payroll records Personnel files Phone records Planning documents Price lists Purchase receipts Sales forecasts Tax records Training information X-rays	Client Data Business plans Cancelled checks Computer reports Credit card numbers Executive correspondence New product information Obsolete collateral Photographs Presentations Price/inventory lists Proposals and quotes Proprietary documents Receipts/invoices R&D files/data Non-Document Destruction CD-ROMs/CD-Rs/DVDs Computer Backups Microfiche X-Rays Videotapes Cassette Tapes Casino Chips Product Samples Prototypes

Risks with other companies

Watch for companies that claim to be secure and shred documents off-site. Once the documents have left there is no way to know who has been through the documents.

Some companies will charge by the minute, and we find this to be an unfair practice. If we charged per minute and I get a call on my cell phone you bought my talk time. So companies that charge by the pound or per consol are only charging for what is being shred, not for the wasted time of idle hands. That is why we believe per pound per consol is the fairest way to charge.

Another problem is hand fed shredding machines. For security no one should be able to see your document, but you. Our system allows your information to never be touched by our employees.

Make sure the company you choose has bonded shredding specialists; this is a pre-screened employee that has been drug tested and is insured to protect your documents.

If you take your documents to a recycle plant your document can sit around for long periods of time, and can be seen by anyone there. Most empoyees are low paid and they are NOT bonded. They can and will steal secure information. If the recycler does not have a secure shredder this paper can be put back together with computer programs, in particular the single shred paper that is used for pet bedding and filler is NOT secure. it is the same with home office shredders the shred size is not secure.

We'd like to mention one more at risk area. Locked dumpsters can have locks cut. There are alot of dumpster divers that pick through trash and it is likely they will have contact with paper that has personal information that will put you and your business at risk. Do not make it easy for fraud, this type of crime is on a rise because it is just to easy to get your personal information. We want to help because what is good for our local community is good for us and identity theft needs to stop.

Security Laws

Privacy laws apply to every business!

Businesses should know about the FACTA, HIPAA and GLB Disposal rules:

Severe Penalties await Violators
Destruction of Consumer Information is required by Federal Law before it is Discarded
This Applies to Virtually Every Business and Person in the United States.

Our highly trained Document Security Specialists can provide detailed information about exactly which privacy laws apply to your business!

FACTA

What Is FACTA? FACTA is the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (FACTA), is a NEW FEDERAL LAW. It is designed to reduce the risk of Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft, created by improper disposal of consumer information. FACTA will help educate and protect Businesses and Consumers. For example, consumers will have the right to one free credit report annually from the national repositories and national specialty credit reporting agencies. President Bush signed the FACTA Law On December 4, 2003. This legislation contains significant amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act on a broad scope of topics and issues. For a initial analysis of FACTA and the many changes it makes to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) go online to the National Consumer Law Center at http://www.consumerlaw.org/issues/facta/nclc_analysis.shtml

Did you know the FACTA Law requires you dispose of records properly or pay State and Federal fines of $1000.00 – $2500.00 per record.

HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was designed to protect patients' confidential information. Patient information maintained by healthcare providers, healthcare institutions and health insurance companies is regulated by this Act. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HIPAAGenInfo/ for more information.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
The Financial Modernization Act of 1999, or Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) set guidlines for the handling of financial information held by financial institutions. This act likely affects your business if you handle customers financial information. For more details visit http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/glbact.html

Privacy Act of 1974
This Privacy Act protects the privacy of records maintained by the federal government. For additional information visit the Federal Trade Commission's site at http://www.ftc.gov/foia/privacy_act.shtm

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

This law creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. For additional information visit the Environmental Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/laws-reg.htm

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. For more information visit http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

The Supreme Court
has ruled that information in your trash is "fair game" to anyone. The current law in the United States (federal as well as state law) is that: a person has no reasonable expectation of privacy for contents of garbage; and
a person has relinquished any property interest in garbage, even when it sits in metal trash cans or opaque plastic bags at the person's home awaiting collection.

Identity Theft

What is identity theft?
How do thieves steal an identity?
What do thieves do with a stolen identity?
How can you find out if your identity was stolen?
How long can the effects of identity theft last?
What should you do if your identity is stolen?
Should you file a police report if your identity is stolen?
How long can the effects of identity theft last?
What can you do to help fight identity theft?

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.
The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

How do thieves steal an identity?

Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information. For identity thieves, this information is as good as gold.
Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:

Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.

What do thieves do with a stolen identity?

Once they have your personal information, identity thieves use it in a variety of ways.

Credit card fraud:

They may open new credit card accounts in your name. When they use the cards and don't pay the bills, the delinquent accounts appear on your credit report.
They may change the billing address on your credit card so that you no longer receive bills, and then run up charges on your account. Because your bills are now sent to a different address, it may be some time before you realize there's a problem.

Phone or utilities fraud:

They may open a new phone or wireless account in your name, or run up charges on your existing account.
They may use your name to get utility services like electricity, heating, or cable TV.

Bank/finance fraud:

They may create counterfeit checks using your name or account number.
They may open a bank account in your name and write bad checks.
They may clone your ATM or debit card and make electronic withdrawals in your name, draining your accounts.
They may take out a loan in your name.

Government documents fraud:

They may get a driver's license or official ID card issued in your name but with their picture.
They may use your name and Social Security number to get government benefits.
They may file a fraudulent tax return using your information.

Other fraud:

They may get a job using your Social Security number.
They may rent a house or get medical services using your name.
They may give your personal information to police during an arrest. If they don't show up for their court date, a warrant for arrest is issued in your name.

How can you find out if your identity was stolen?

The best way to find out is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month, and check your credit report on a regular basis. If you check your credit report regularly, you may be able to limit the damage caused by identity theft.

Unfortunately, many consumers learn that their identity has been stolen after some damage has been done.

You may find out when bill collection agencies contact you for overdue debts you never incurred.
You may find out when you apply for a mortgage or car loan and learn that problems with your credit history are holding up the loan.
You may find out when you get something in the mail about an apartment you never rented, a house you never bought, or a job you never held.

What should you do if your identity is stolen?

Filing a police report, checking your credit reports, notifying creditors, and disputing any unauthorized transactions are some of the steps you must take immediately to restore your good name.

Should you file a police report if your identity is stolen?

A police report that provides specific details of the identity theft is considered an Identity Theft Report, which entitles you to certain legal rights when it is provided to the three major credit reporting agencies or to companies where the thief misused your information. An Identity Theft Report can be used to permanently block fraudulent information that results from identity theft, such as accounts or addresses, from appearing on your credit report. It will also make sure these debts do not reappear on your credit reports. Identity Theft Reports can prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft, or selling them to others for collection. An Identity Theft Report is also needed to place an extended fraud alert on your credit report.

You may not need an Identity Theft Report if the thief made charges on an existing account and you have been able to work with the company to resolve the dispute. Where an identity thief has opened new accounts in your name, or where fraudulent charges have been reported to the consumer reporting agencies, you should obtain an Identity Theft Report so that you can take advantage of the protections you are entitled to.

In order for a police report to entitle you to the legal rights mentioned above, it must contain specific details about the identity theft. You should file an ID Theft Complaint with the FTC and bring your printed ID Theft Complaint with you to the police station when you file your police report. The printed ID Theft Complaint can be used to support your local police report to ensure that it includes the detail required.

A police report is also needed to get copies of the thief’s application, as well as transaction information from companies that dealt with the thief. To get this information, you must submit a request in writing, accompanied by the police report, to the address specified by the company for this purpose.

How long can the effects of identity theft last?

It's difficult to predict how long the effects of identity theft may linger. That's because it depends on many factors including the type of theft, whether the thief sold or passed your information on to other thieves, whether the thief is caught, and problems related to correcting your credit report.

Victims of identity theft should monitor financial records for several months after they discover the crime. Victims should review their credit reports once every three months in the first year of the theft, and once a year thereafter. Stay alert for other signs of identity theft.

Don't delay in correcting your records and contacting all companies that opened fraudulent accounts. Make the initial contact by phone, even though you will normally need to follow up in writing. The longer the inaccurate information goes uncorrected, the longer it will take to resolve the problem.

What can you do to help fight identity theft?

A great deal.

Awareness is an effective weapon against many forms of identity theft. Be aware of how information is stolen and what you can do to protect yours, monitor your personal information to uncover any problems quickly, and know what to do when you suspect your identity has been stolen.

Armed with the knowledge of how to protect yourself and take action, you can make identity thieves' jobs much more difficult. You can also help fight identity theft by educating your friends, family, and members of your community. The FTC has prepared a collection of easy-to-use materials to enable anyone regardless of existing knowledge about identity theft to inform others about this serious crime.

To find out more visit the FTC ID Theft site HERE