Checkbook stubs may seem like a relic of the past, but they’re actually an important tool for keeping record-keeping manageable.
The “what to do with old check carbon copies” is a question that has been asked before. The answer will vary depending on what the individual wants to do with them. Some people may want to keep their old checks for sentimental value, while others might just want to throw them in the trash.
Checkbooks are essential financial records. They are payment devices that are made of paper. Checkbooks may be a window into your money at times.
Nothing, unfortunately, lasts forever. This is also the case with your bank accounts. So, what happens when you no longer use them and they only seem to take up space?
There are several alternatives available. However, making a decision might be difficult. That is, until now.
This post will show you how to get rid of outdated checkbook stubs in a few different methods.
How Do You Get Rid of Checkbook Stubs?
Yes. You may get rid of your checkbook, and checkbook stubs are normally thrown away when they’re no longer helpful. You can’t simply throw them out like any other paper garbage.
You must dispose of them professionally and securely, given their importance. Here’s how to get rid of old checkbook stubs the right way.
To begin, make sure the checkbook is no longer in use or required for future usage. Specifically, your tax counsel must declare that the checkbook is not tax-deductible.
Shredding is the most common way to get rid of checkbooks. Shredding is the process of shredding a paper into very small fragments using a shredder.
However, for the greatest results, you should use a cross-cut shredder. The checkbook cannot be put back together, and its contents cannot be deciphered, thanks to cross-cut shredding. You avoid putting yourself at danger of a breach this way.
Many banks provide shredding services for your financial records. As a result, you may always go to your bank and safely dispose of your checkbooks.
You may, however, buy a shredder for personal use if your bank does not have one. You may also employ shredding services provided by other companies.
If you’re shredding your checkbook, try to get rid of everything. It might be harmful to leave any component behind.
You must, however, remove any backup information relating to your checkbook before shredding. Your PCs may be used to write or store backup data. Leaving them might jeopardize the security of your data.
What Does It Mean to Shred Old Checkbooks?
Knowing how to dispose of checkbooks is excellent, but knowing why is even better. In general, appropriate paper waste disposal is crucial.
When it comes to papers that may expose personal information about you, it’s even more important to dispose of them properly. Here are some of the reasons why you should trash your old checkbooks in light of this.
1. It protects against identity theft.
When someone else uses your identity to do many things, it is called identity theft. Identity thieves explore dumpsters and garbage cans for private papers. When they discover it, they impersonate the owner to do business. Identity theft is illegal and punishable by law.
Identity fraudsters may steal information from your old checkbook and use it to make purchases or conduct money transfers. Worse, they could use your information to do crimes that harm your reputation. When you shred your old checkbook, the document is immediately destroyed. No one will be able to access the information this way.
2. It guards against scams and fraud.
Fraud might occur if a third party has access to your checkbook. Criminals who acquire access to outdated checkbooks may exploit your personal information to persuade you that they are someone you know. Some may impersonate your bank, family, place of business, or pals.
These fraudsters may use information from your checkbook to persuade you to trust them. Once you do, they may attempt to defraud you of substantial sums of money. They may even mislead those close to you in order to get money.
Check fraud may also be committed using blank checks. Shredding your checkbook can help keep sensitive information from being accessed and used against you.
3. It prevents your photo from being used in criminal acts.
You may be in greater risk if your checkbook has a photograph. Criminals may get your photograph and leave it at crime sites or other locations that might harm your reputation. They will fool others into thinking you committed the crime this way. You could then be held responsible for something you didn’t do.
When you trash your checkbook, you also shred all of the images it contains. As a result, you may avoid having your photo used inappropriately.
4. You Conserve Area
Most old checkbooks are no longer usable. You can be wasting space by storing them. Shredding them frees up room in your home so you may store new, valuable items. Shredding is also an environmentally friendly technique to dispose of paper trash.
Without a shredder, How Do You Get Rid of Old Checkbooks?
One of the safest methods to dispose of paper trash is to shred your old checkbook. If you don’t have a shredder, you still have options. Without using a shredder, there are a few alternative options for getting rid of old checkbooks.
1. Use a pair of scissors
Using scissors, you may cut your checkbook into extremely little pieces. You should, however, ensure that the paper is expertly sliced into little pieces so that trash combers cannot link the fragments together.
2. Combustion
You may either burn your checkbook or use it as kindling for your fireplace. Make sure the checkbook is completely charred. Burning has the same effect as earlier ways in that no one can reassemble the paper.
3. Whitening
If you don’t have a shredder, you may put your checkbook in a bleach container. The prints or words on the checkbook will be washed away using bleach. Before discarding the paper, you may scrape it in fabric bags to make a mash.
It is critical to ensure that all checkbook data are unreadable, regardless of the disposal method you employ.
How Long Should Checkbook Stubs Be Kept?
Checkbook stubs may be disposed of to free up space and relieve tension. Disposing of checkbooks may also be frightening in certain cases. The notion that you may need such papers one day causes this worry.
What is the suggested time for keeping a checkbook stub, given this? Checkbook stubs aid in transaction tracking and give additional information on bank statement activities.
Before discarding your checkbook stub, it is recommended that you maintain it for at least six years. The following are the causes.
Your tax return may be audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This procedure might take up to three years. You may need your checkbook to prepare your tax returns. You may also need to submit an amendment if your tax returns include a mistake. You may require your check records throughout this procedure.
If you don’t need to submit any tax returns modifications, you may get rid of it after three years. It’s important to understand that this deadline applies even if the bank account is no longer active.
How Do You Dispose Of Unused Checks?
Unused checks resemble old checks in appearance. Both are unnecessary stuff.
Unused checks, on the other hand, are just as dangerous as old checks. Check fraud may always be carried out with unused checks. Criminals may utilize an unused, blank check to fill in information and perform transactions.
So, how do you get rid of unneeded checks? Unused checks should be disposed of in the same manner as old checks. Here are a few options for getting rid of your unneeded checks.
Shredding is the first step.
As previously stated, shredding trash checks is the most secure method of disposal. Unused checks should be shredded into extremely fine bits using crosscut shredders. This will prohibit anybody from putting the components together or utilizing them.
2. Cutting with Other Materials
Different than a shredder, you may cut your unneeded checks into pieces using other devices. As an example, as previously said, scissors may be used.
3. Combustion
Unused checks may also be burned as a waste disposal method or used to start a fire. You must, however, verify that the checks are completely consumed.
4. Whitening
It is suggested to soak and crush unused checks in bleach water to render them worthless.
Is It Okay to Discard Old Bank Statements?
A bank statement is a document that lists all of your transactions for a given time period. Is it safe to throw away this important document? If you haven’t used your bank statements in a while, it’s usually okay to toss them away. However, it would be preferable if you were certain that the bank statement was no longer helpful. You must also dispose of in a secure manner.
Bank statements may include very sensitive information and may be used to prove certain activities. As a result, you must make certain that the bank statement is no longer required.
Bank statements should typically be kept for 3-7 years before being discarded. During this time, you will be able to produce proof of your tax payments.
If you do decide to get rid of your bank statement, make sure you do it safely. In other words, the previous bank statement must be destroyed. Failure to do so might put you at risk of fraud or identity theft.
Shredding, burning, or bleaching your old bank statement are all options for getting rid of it.
Are Credit Card Statements Disposable?
What exactly are credit card statements? They’re monthly statements that describe how your credit card was used. Your credit card statement includes details on you, your credit cards, and your recent purchases.
Did you say it’s packed with vital information? It certainly does. So, are your credit card statements safe to toss away? Yes. Your credit card statements might be discarded.
However, before you try to throw away your credit card statement, consider the following.
At the very least, save your credit card statement for 60 days.
You may want to double-check the transactions on your credit card statement when you get it. You should tell your banking institution if there are any inaccuracies. You have a maximum of 60 days to dispute a billing mistake on your credit card.
As a result, it is recommended that you keep your credit card for up to 60 days. You may make any billing mistake complaints till the legally allowed period has passed if you keep it. After 60 days, you may discard the statements.
Do you have any extended warranties or purchase protection on your items?
Many credit cards provide perks such as extended warranties and purchase protections. So, if you’ve made a purchase and would want your credit card warranty to cover it, you may want to save the statement.
Extended warranties and purchasing protection often run 3 to 12 months.
You may discard your credit card statement once the warranty period has expired.
If your statement contains tax-related purchases, save it.
If you made tax purchases, you may need to maintain your credit card statements for up to 3-7 years. You must maintain proof of tax purchases until the tax return’s restriction period has passed. These documents must be kept for tax auditing reasons as well.
If your credit card does not fit into one of the final two categories, you should trash it after six months. If someone has access to your information, you will avoid the danger of loss or even fraud.
Last Thoughts
The procedure for disposing of your checkbooks while keeping your information protected is straightforward. We recommend shredding them.
You must, however, take certain safeguards. You might also try one of the many other options listed. You’ll be safer and get rid of unnecessary paperwork this way.
References:
https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-long-to-keep-all-your-important-financial-documents-2017-1?IR=T
After mobile deposit, it is important to dispose of old checkbook stubs. The “how to dispose of checks after mobile deposit” article provides some helpful tips on how long to keep them.
Related Tags
- how long to keep old checkbooks
- how to dispose of old checks from closed account
- how to get rid of old checkbooks
- where are two places you can find deposit slips?
- do i need to keep old checkbooks
