Spring is here...

Spring is here... it's time for the spring breaks... filing taxes... and spring cleaning...

If you're drowning in paper [like me] that contains personal information that you have to trash, I suggest investing in a shredder like the Fellowes P-12C to use. The Fellowes P-12C is affordable ($89.99 at Target!), durable (shreds credit cards & paper clips!) and innovative (SafeSense technology).

From 2008-2009, 11 million Americans (1:20) was a victim of identity theft ^Source. To guarantee your data-sensitive papers, the P-12C features Cross-Cut technology, which shreds a single sheet of paper approximately in 399 pieces! The P-12C is slim to fit in any office/home and safe with it's patented SafeSense technology that disables the shredder when it detects hands/large pets too close to the opening.

Spring Cleaning Tips to Protect from Identity Theft 

The Identity Theft Resource Center recommends their Top 5 Tips for spring cleaning the home office:

Begin with the Basics: Sort through the piles of paperwork on your desk and in your office drawers.  Place them into two categories: ‘save’ and ‘shred.’

Proper Storage: Organize the "save" pile into labeled folders and be sure to put anything confidential into a fire-proof lock box.  The "shred" pile should be properly disposed of with a Cross-Cut shredder, such as a Fellowes P-12C. 

Cross-Cut technology is an important feature for a shredder because it provides high security, destroying confidential information into unidentifiable pieces.  Equally important are enhanced safety features, such as Fellowes' SafeSense technology, which shuts the machine down when hands come too close to the paper opening, which is so important if you have children.

Get a Digital Makeover: Refresh your home office computer by deleting files you no longer use and backing-up important data onto an external hard drive.  Clean out your inbox and change all passwords.  Refreshing your computer is a good practice to follow throughout the year as well.

Make Life Easier: Plan ahead by purchasing organizational tools for your desk, such as computer risers or file folder holders.  This will help clear clutter from your desk top while keeping things within arms reach.

Freshen Up: Get rid of dust and germs that easily build up on office equipment such as keyboards, telephones and cabinets.  You'll feel instantly more productive with a clean workspace.

Disclosure: I wrote this post to be entered in a drawing to win a Fellowes P-12C shredder from One2One Network & Fellowes. All opinions are my own.