Identity theft from Bins. Am I paranoid?

[p1stonhead]

So after standing next to the wheelie bin for 10 minutes last night ripping all of the address labels from my ridiculous amount of Amazon/internet packages, I began wondering, is there any point?

Ive always done it - then torn up the labels a bit more, then distributed the 'bits' into other bins etc.

Is this absolutely ridiculous? Is anyone going to steal my identity just from name and address on my packaging? I never throw away actual documents/statements etc they are always shredded.

Quit wasting my life or better safe than sorry?

[anonymous-user]

Your not alone, I tear off all address labels off and when I have a bag full they go in the chimnea.

Probably futile as a script kiddie could no doubt get all my info with ease.

[f1nn]

In my opinion, stop wasting your life.

[justinio]

f1nn said:

In my opinion, stop wasting your life.

^^ This

[TheLuke]

The internet is much more accessible for things like that nowadays.

Maybe back in the old days bin rooting was a thing (I'm even a bit sceptical of that) but it certainly isn't anymore. Its incredibly easy to find out someones name and address with the internet

It also asks more questions than it answers. For a start, if they are rooting through your bins, they have your address

[gus607]

But a small inexpensive paper shredder, sorted.

[bobtail4x4]

all mine go in the logburner

[Cold]

gus607 said:

But a small inexpensive paper shredder, sorted.

Yep, I have one next to the bins in the kitchen. Everyday waste, recyclable waste and waste to be shredded.

[otherman]

p1stonhead said:

So after standing next to the wheelie bin for 10 minutes last night ripping all of the address labels from my ridiculous amount of Amazon/internet packages, I began wondering, is there any point?

Surely if I'm rummaging through your bin, I'm standing outside your house and I know you're address already.

[droopsnoot]

otherman said:

Surely if I'm rummaging through your bin, I'm standing outside your house and I know you're address already.

You know the address, you don't necessarily know the name of anyone who lives there.

I must admit I remove my name and address from letter and packages before they go in the bin, and shred that bit. It is a ridiculous habit, as I'm probably on the electoral roll which is easily available on line. But it's not massively time-consuming. I've cut up my old expired credit card (which no longer works as the number changed too) and I'm gradually distributing the bits into separate bins in nearby towns. We used to have a great shredder in the office that would do CDs and credit cards, but I'm not there now.

[samdale]

droopsnoot said:

I've cut up my old expired credit card (which no longer works as the number changed too) and I'm gradually distributing the bits into separate bins in nearby towns.

Surely you can't be serious?

[p1stonhead]

samdale said:

droopsnoot said:

I've cut up my old expired credit card (which no longer works as the number changed too) and I'm gradually distributing the bits into separate bins in nearby towns.

Surely you can't be serious?

I think it's a partridge-ism

And I'm not worried about the bin man stealing my identity, more anyone else who sees it before it gets recycled.

Fair enough though I'll stop it!

[wombleh]

I'm paranoid but don't bother worrying about stuff with name and address on. So easily found out a dozen other ways.

[TheLuke]

What a load of rubbish!







(Cant believe I missed that earlier )

[sunbeam alpine]

We now shred everything with an address on before it goes it the bin.

About 5 years ago we suddenly started getting all sorts of mail addressed to my dad - someone had managed to get hold of his details and had set up credit everywhere. The fact that he was in a palliative care home in the last stages of cancer helped in getting creditors off our/his back, but it really wasn't needed at that point in time......

[anonymous-user]

Burn or shred everything with an address, name or other useful information.

I have seen people going through the bins at a petrol station looking for receipts, why make it easy for these people.

It is a lot harder to sort out when it goes wrong.

[romeogolf]

I don't bother with removing my name from package labels in the bin, but I shred any letters or documents.

Having a name and address doesn't get you very far, it's having proof of it which gets more interesting.

[Evanivitch]

Rip and burn everything with personal details on.

[The Mad Monk]

otherman said:

p1stonhead said:

So after standing next to the wheelie bin for 10 minutes last night ripping all of the address labels from my ridiculous amount of Amazon/internet packages, I began wondering, is there any point?

Surely if I'm rummaging through your bin, I'm standing outside your house and I know you're address already.

But you don't know that it is her living there, do you?

[anonymous-user]

romeogolf said:

I don't bother with removing my name from package labels in the bin, but I shred any letters or documents..

I suggest you have a look at the delivery label, you might find your phone number printed on the delivery label or in the barcode.

Amazon definitely used to do this and may still do.