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 Without them, you may find yourself paying taxes again when the money is withdrawn.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®
I needed to clean out 30 years of documents from my Mom's garage. One phone call, one email - and we were all set.... read moreI needed to clean out 30 years of documents from my Mom's garage. One phone call, one email - and we were all set. The technician arrived on time, was courteous, and finished faster than I expected. I would use them again in a heartbeat - only it'll take another 30 years to accumulate that much stuff read less
Jonathan V.12/30/2016I recently contacted Proshred for a one time residential service. Although it was a small job, Proshred staff made me feel that my job was... read moreI recently contacted Proshred for a one time residential service. Although it was a small job, Proshred staff made me feel that my job was important and that I was valued as a client. Highly recommended!Pros: Excellent customer service, timely responses, and very accommodating for my scheduling needs.Cons: None! read less
Jeanette P.10/23/2018It 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 N2/08/2014Super awesome company! Used them for first time this last week. Booking was super fast and the owner herself calls you, no-nonsense, no hidden fees.... read moreSuper awesome company! Used them for first time this last week. Booking was super fast and the owner herself calls you, no-nonsense, no hidden fees. Guy came to me today. 22 boxes & a hard drive & seriously a great price! They are green and don't charge by box, charges by the trash bin. I filled 2 & not even a 1/4 of a third. Was on time, done in 20 minutes. Super rad. Left me all my boxes so I can go back and fill them up as I need, but hopefully I won't need them all, as I've gone green in the last 9 years!Fredrick was extremely nice & professional, even at 7 am!! Will definitely use them again. read less
Traci H.10/19/2017Michael was wonderful! The ladies are also wonderful and very helpful.Michael helped with my personal shredding questions and when I got there I was really... read moreMichael was wonderful! The ladies are also wonderful and very helpful.Michael helped with my personal shredding questions and when I got there I was really impressed with the handling of my business, so much so I brought in a laptop that I wanted to get the hard drive out and destroy. Michael took it out of the laptop for me and recycled the laptop also. This is an amazing place. Don't loose sleep over your privacy they are totally professional and just the nicest people to work with. Heck I would love to work there just based on meeting them and seeing how they run their business.Badonna read less
Badonna B.9/29/2016Awesome service. Mike was friendly and answered all my questions thoroughly. Hard drive destruction especially impressive. Have used others and Pro-shred my top choice. Highly recommend.
Gustavo S.9/24/2017Pro 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 Feaster4/22/2019We host an annual Shred Event for our real restate business and this locally owned business is the type of partner we want. Professional, well... read moreWe host an annual Shred Event for our real restate business and this locally owned business is the type of partner we want. Professional, well run, the best equipment and trucks, friendly employees, on time - this is how you do it! Thank you Mike and keep up the great work!! read less
Greg S.5/23/2017Phone contact with Proshred was easy and courteous. Fred came right on time, was really nice to deal with, and he quickly and efficiently... read morePhone contact with Proshred was easy and courteous. Fred came right on time, was really nice to deal with, and he quickly and efficiently got rid of years of unwanted files! A pleasure to work with them! read less
Marti S.7/14/2016This company was amazing to work with! Of all the shredding services I contacted, their customer service over the phone was the BEST! I chose... read moreThis company was amazing to work with! Of all the shredding services I contacted, their customer service over the phone was the BEST! I chose them because Angel was great in answering all my questions; she was clearly experienced and knowledgeable. But they also happened to give extraordinary service throughout, extremely affordable pricing, they were flexible and accomodating. Mike himself came out to do our data shred! This process was so simple and really put our mind at ease in disposing of sensitive material. I highly recommend! This is a long overdue review, but THANK YOU Proshred! read less
Bri N.10/27/2016We had a great experience with PROSHRED! When we need shredding services, we will be calling on them again! We will definitely recommend PROSHRED to... read moreWe had a great experience with PROSHRED! When we need shredding services, we will be calling on them again! We will definitely recommend PROSHRED to anyone we know needing these services. It was a very friendly, professional and quick process! Their rates are reasonable, and you can watch on the video screen as they shred. Couldn't have been easier to schedule. Everyone we spoke with and met was courteous, helpful, and professional. So glad we found them! read less
Lisa J.5/02/2018This is the second time that I have had PROSHRED come out to my home business. They are professional, prompt and made it so... read moreThis is the second time that I have had PROSHRED come out to my home business. They are professional, prompt and made it so simple for me to dispose of my documents. They provide a great service and are very affordable! read less
Jenny D.12/18/2019Excellent company to work with. I had a bad fail with another company and I needed same day service. Proshred was the only company in... read moreExcellent company to work with. I had a bad fail with another company and I needed same day service. Proshred was the only company in the Bay Area that was able to accommodate. Easy, helpful, and courteous team. read less
Jen G.3/29/2017Guaranteed service, and at a lower cost than at Office Depot. It is, after all, their core business.
Kevin Short7/29/2019I worked with Angel and Freddie. These two were the dream team. All logistics were handled over a few emails (very pleasant emails... read moreI worked with Angel and Freddie. These two were the dream team. All logistics were handled over a few emails (very pleasant emails I might add). Freddie was my onsite shredder and he was prompt, very helpful and easy to work with for the shredding. Angel sent the invoice... right away. What a great service! read less
Jeannette E.4/04/2017
