Owning a paper shredder has become a necessity thanks to the prevalence of identity theft. In fact, these devices become so popular that you can buy one just about anywhere: in office supply stores, supermarkets and, of course, the Internet. If you don’t have one of these important machines yet, you’re probably wondering why you need one and what you should look for when making your purchase. This article will fill you in, so keep on reading.

* What should you shred? The answer to this question is simple: shred everything that contains any personal information. This includes, but is not limited to, credit card offers, old correspondence, any and all financial documentation, and documents containing your name, address, phone number, birth date, and Social Security number. You can even purchase a shredder that can destroy CD’s and credit cards if you want.

* Do you want a cross-cut or strip-cut model? There are two main types of shredders available: cross-cut and strip-cut. Cross-cut machines tend to offer a higher level of security, so they’re ideal for businesses and government entities. They also tend to be more expensive than their strip-cut counterparts. Strip-cut devices are good for personal use. They essentially turn your documents into a bunch of strips that resemble spaghetti. Strip-cut devices can be inexpensive – there are some good ones available for under $100.00 – so they’re ideal for potential users who may be on a budget. Something to keep in mind is that shredders have security ratings ranging from Level 1 to Level 6. A Level 1 device would be good for shredding mail and so on, but if you want the most security, get a machine with the highest security rating you can afford.

* What features do you need? As with any other machine, paper shredders can come with special features you may or may not need or want. Safety features are important. Some units have the ability to sense when hands and fingers get too close to the feed opening and when they do, the machine shuts down. These devices are ideal for households that contain kids and pets. As mentioned above, some machines can destroy non-paper items including credit cards, which can be a handy feature to have. Some shredders even have anti-jam technology so you’ll never have to deal with frustrating paper jams. Finally, there are machines that operate almost silently which can be a great feature if you dislike loud noises.

* What brands should you look for? Since there are so many paper shredders out there, knowing which brands to look for can be challenging. Two of the best manufacturers of personal-sized machines are Fellowes and GBC. They both make high-quality devices that will put your mind at ease while also being easy on your bank account. These companies also give their machines great warranties so you won’t have to worry about replacing yours any time soon.

Finally, you really just want a paper shredder you feel comfortable with because, after all, you’re using it to protect your identity. But now that you know what to look for, choosing the right device will be easy. Good luck and happy shredding!

Author Bio: If you’d like to purchase a Paper Shredder, you should really visit MyBinding.com. They have a wonderful selection available and they also have a wide assortment of Pouch Laminators. Plus, you’ll get free shipping on every order over $75.00.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: paper shredder,right paper shredder,paper shredders, shredders, shredding