Keeping the wrong documents for too long can waste space, and could be risky for the security of your personal information. Shredding is a secure way to destroy old and unneeded documents and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Sheboygan is holding a Community Shred Event Fundraiser on Saturday, October 28th from 10 a.m. until noon in their parking lot at 1930 North 8th Street.
Before you bring those documents, check to be sure they’re good to shred. According to the Federal Trade Commission, pay stubs can be shredded once you’ve confirmed them against your W-2. Credit card and utility bills can be shredded immediately, and so can sales receipts not connected to a warranty, taxes or insurance. After one year, shred bank statements, pay stubs and medical bills unless there’s a dispute.
Things you should keep forever include tax returns, home improvement receipts, birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates and other legal papers. Documents like receipts and cancelled checks you used to prepare taxes should be kept for seven years in case there’s an audit, but then shred it.
As for Consumer Credit Counseling Services’ event on the 28th, they’ll shred a grocery size bag for $3 or a standard size box for $5, and paper-only is being accepted. There’s no limit to what gets shredded and the fundraiser will support financial education in Sheboygan and Sheboygan County.
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