To shred or to tear: that is the question...

Robert Cockerham of cockeyed.com decided to put the matter to a test. His test subject? A newly received Chase Mastercard pre-approved application.

Step 1: Robert tears the application into small pieces.










Step: 2: Robert meticulously lines the torn pieces up and tapes them together, like so.











Step 3: Robert fills out the application, replacing the current billing address with a new one (his parent’s house) and using his cell phone as the phone number on the new account. With that, he mails it in.

Step 4: Robert excitedly receives his new credit card at his parent’s house and activates it using his cell phone.








Analysis: Tearing up your sensitive documents is not sufficient. Some creditors will process applications, even if they’ve been torn up, taped together and have a new address.
A criminal could easily apply for credit in your name, change the address, and activate the account via a pre-paid cell phone. You wouldn’t even know what happened until creditors started calling you about your unpaid bills.

You must destroy all sensitive documents using a cross-cut shredder before placing them in the trash. Better yet, opt-out of pre-approved offers and give your shredder and the recyclers a rest.

Read the whole story on Cockeyed.com.