Keep and Shred Suggestions
- Tax returns: The IRS has three years to challenge information in your tax return and six years to conduct an audit based on unreported income. Keep tax returns and supporting records, such as W-2s and 1099s, for at least seven years in a secure place, such as a lock-box.
- Investment statements for taxable accounts: Most brokerage firms and mutual fund companies send annual statements summarizing the year’s transactions. Once you have these, you should shred your monthly and/or quarterly statements with a confetti-cut shredder.
- Bank statements: Keep statements that back up information on your tax returns for up to seven years. Other bank statements can be shredded after reviewing for errors or unauthorized charges.
- Credit card statements: Keep statements for major purchases, like jewelry or large appliances in case the statements are needed for warranty documentation. If you put charitable contributions on your credit card, keep the statement for your tax records. Other monthly statements can be shredded once you’ve reviewed them for errors or unauthorized purchases.
- Unsolicited, Pre-approved credit applications: Unless you plan to take the offer, shred these documents.
- Pay stubs: While many people recommend saving these, it’s really a mistake. Pay stubs contain everything an identity thief needs to open an account. Keep three months of history only if you are planning to apply for a mortgage.
- ATM receipts: Shred all receipts after you check your bank statement for errors or unauthorized charges.
- Canceled checks: Unless they are needed for tax returns or other documentation purposes, canceled checks should be destroyed after one year.
- Retirement plan contributions: Keep records of contributions to non-deductible individual retirement accounts, such as a Roth IRA, indefinitely. Without them, you may find yourself paying taxes again when the money is withdrawn. Some financial institutions keep records of IRA contributions, but it’s best not to count on it.
- Insurance policies, wills and other legal documents: These documents should be kept indefinitely in a secure place, such as a lock-box.
What People Are Saying About PROSHRED®
Pro shred pleasanton fantastic company Pro shred employee great Worker fast and efficiency. Super job well maintained
Equiptment real nice job Today !I highly reccomend.give them
A... read morePro shred pleasanton fantastic company Pro shred employee great Worker fast and efficiency. Super job well maintained
Equiptment real nice job Today !I highly reccomend.give them
A try you will like.the guy that serviced us did very nice job
Hard worker seem dedicated clean cut and fast and friendly ! read lessJim Feaster4/22/2019I didn't have enough item for onsite but when I called they explained where they were located, their hours of operation and the process. The... read moreI didn't have enough item for onsite but when I called they explained where they were located, their hours of operation and the process. The process was fairly straightforward and easy. read less
Tina T.5/12/2017Fantastic customer service! They are reliable and professional. They offer great rates and there are never any surprises. Everything is explained thoroughly and with our... read moreFantastic customer service! They are reliable and professional. They offer great rates and there are never any surprises. Everything is explained thoroughly and with our best interests in mind. I highly recommend Proshred to anyone looking for shredding services. read less
Dotty D.6/14/20182 years later and we're all still (very!) happy with our service experience w/ ProShred. Great customer service and quick communication. Angel is a dream... read more2 years later and we're all still (very!) happy with our service experience w/ ProShred. Great customer service and quick communication. Angel is a dream to work with! read less
Julia J.3/11/2019Super easy and affordable. Came in with two boxes that needed to be shred and they took them right away for $30.00. They even helped... read moreSuper easy and affordable. Came in with two boxes that needed to be shred and they took them right away for $30.00. They even helped me bring in the second box. I have already recommended them to family in the area. Thanks Proshred. read less
Playful Learning Coop Preschool M.12/02/2015Dang that was easy. I pull up to the back where I figured I'd have to anyway and see a gentleman getting into his van.... read moreDang that was easy. I pull up to the back where I figured I'd have to anyway and see a gentleman getting into his van. I pull up and ask if this is where the drop off to shred is. He cheerfully climbed out of his van, greets me and introduces himself. Mike was cool, gave me a price on my 5 boxes, helped me dump them into the bin, made them go away, swiped my card and I was on my way. Seriously, what more do you need? Well done Mike. read less
Edward H.3/11/2019I am so thankful to a friend of mine for referring me to Angel and Michael and Proshred. They are very professional and friendly. We... read moreI am so thankful to a friend of mine for referring me to Angel and Michael and Proshred. They are very professional and friendly. We will certainly recommend them to others who are in need of secured shredding services. read less
Leilani S.9/08/2017Angel is fast. Called me back almost right the way with quotation and scheduled an appointment. The shredding associates were also professional, on... read moreAngel is fast. Called me back almost right the way with quotation and scheduled an appointment. The shredding associates were also professional, on time, and efficient. Will use their services again next year. read less
Tony Q.1/29/2020It couldn't have been easier! Spoke with Angel - she's great. She gave me an appointment time window. The truck arrived a little earlier than... read moreIt couldn't have been easier! Spoke with Angel - she's great. She gave me an appointment time window. The truck arrived a little earlier than the committed time which was perfect and the shredding was done in a flash! I am not sure why I waited so long to get rid of all these old documents. Affordable and very very easy ... read less
Steve G.3/17/2016Absolutely recommend PROSHRED. The communication and service was top notch -- they made it incredibly easy to schedule a truck to come to my house... read moreAbsolutely recommend PROSHRED. The communication and service was top notch -- they made it incredibly easy to schedule a truck to come to my house and the shredding visit itself took less than 10 minutes. PROSHRED has a minimum flat rate for 10 boxes which is very reasonable for the convenience of seeing your papers shredded right in front of you without having to drive somewhere to drop off boxes or sit in front of your personal home shredder for hours at a time. Within an hour of submitting a request for a quote I got a call and email back from PROSHRED and had the service visit scheduled easily for a date/time that worked for me. They don't do weekend visits to where I live but gave me a 3 hour window on a weekday and showed up right within that time period. Thanks for the fast, friendly and efficient service! read less
M M.6/22/2020So... for the last 15 years have been collecting taxes, documents, paperwork, utilities, bank statements, my life in short which in bags needed to be... read moreSo... for the last 15 years have been collecting taxes, documents, paperwork, utilities, bank statements, my life in short which in bags needed to be shredded! I was so worked about fraud/safety etc, but upon calling, Mike the owner, took my call and within a week, his crew were there, reliable, safe quick and so professional; they essentially require nothing but for you to have the paperwork there for them to shred, safely, at your site, until it is further compressed at their site. Angel at their office, was extremely sweet ensuring that the visit went well and between Mike, who could not be kinder and more professional and Angel, you are provided with a team of expertise and graces! They also illicit confidence for those out there, worried about safety of Identify etc. They are the BEST in the west, and I would encourage anyone out there seeking to have their documents shredded to use them. PLUS you don't even need to own a cumbersome shredder... with their great prices and quick efficient timely service, nothing could be easier than this. Peace of mind and great ppl! Thank you so much Mike and Angel!! You are both phenomenal and provide an amazing service, that feels SO good to all who are needing this in their lives! read less
Valerie G.1/08/2016Excellent service from beginning to end - good pricing and so easy.I cleaned out a lot of files and had a lot of shredding to... read moreExcellent service from beginning to end - good pricing and so easy.I cleaned out a lot of files and had a lot of shredding to be done. I wanted a shredding truck to come to my home. I called about 3 companies and checked others online.Proshred in Pleasanton gave me the best price and excellent service.The person who answered the phone (owner/wife of owner) was so helpful. Thoroughly explained how much it would cost having me visualize an outside trash can. Perfect! No surprises. She was very pleasant. She made an effort to have the driver come the next day. The driver showed up on time, was very pleasant, professional and got the job done quickly. I paid the driver and got an email receipt just as I was told I would.I really like to use local businesses and this one is great. I will use them again. read less
Lynne R.8/18/2016Easy, affordable and safe....the driver called before they came, took all my boxes and I got to watch it being shred right in front of... read moreEasy, affordable and safe....the driver called before they came, took all my boxes and I got to watch it being shred right in front of me! Fun! read less
Gina B.7/24/2020Amazing Customer Service! I called prior to heading to the Pleasanton location and was informed the price, and exactly what to do. Upon arrival, I... read moreAmazing Customer Service! I called prior to heading to the Pleasanton location and was informed the price, and exactly what to do. Upon arrival, I went into the office paid, and sent my employee around back with the banker boxes. Michael was back there and instantly started helping unload the banker boxes from the vehicle. The lady at front desk was kind enough to give me a hard copy receipt as well as allow me to take a short cut through their office and warehouse to where my employee was parked unloading the boxes. I would highly recommend this company based on customer service and timeliness. The price was great too! read less
Andi B.1/13/2017It is very rare to find a company that actually does what it says it is going to do. To feel like your presence is... read moreIt is very rare to find a company that actually does what it says it is going to do. To feel like your presence is welcome and not just your money. When I contacted Proshred, I just wanted better security protocols for my company but what I got was someone who cared about our company. I got the president of the company to contact me directly. He was the one who sent me the estimate, scheduled the time and showed up at my door. He was so cheerful and passionate about his business. And; that is so rare to find. He gave me a brief overview of the protection that my company should have, delivery details and a quick contract. If I have any issues? I have the direct contact information for the President of the company. That is beautiful!!! It is a small business, but it is definitely worth looking into. I love, love, love the fact that I got a response so quickly and my company feels valued.
Thank you!!!!
From your friends at Stella & Dot, San Bruno, CA. read lessD N2/08/2014