• Keep receipts safe to prevent identity theft.Calculating the receipts image by painless from Fotolia.com
  
  Preventing documents and receipts from getting into the hands of criminals is important in preventing identity theft. Credit card fraud can occur when a criminal obtains enough personal information about someone to fill out a credit card application in the victim's name. Shredding receipts which are not required to support taxation records is a good way to keep your identity safe.
  
  

ATM Receipts

• Receipts from an ATM machine show the name of the bank, the last four digits of the account number, the amount withdrawn and available balance. In the wrong hands, this information could be combined with other personal information, and used to create fraudulent accounts. ATM receipts should be kept as a reminder of the amount withdrawn until they can be matched with the bank statement. After that, they may be shredded. A cross-cut shredder is better than a single cut shredder, which cuts a document into long strips.
  
  

Purchases

• Purchase receipts are required if an item is unsuitable or faulty and has to be returned to the store for a refund. Receipts may also be required to validate a product guarantee. The refund policy is usually printed on the receipt, stating the time period within which a product may be returned. Where a receipt is not required for guarantee purposes, it may be destroyed after the returns period has expired, and after the amount has been checked against the bank statement.
  
  

Services

• Garage services and domestic appliance purchase receipts will be needed to claim against a warranty if problems occur after a part has been replaced. Once an old appliance has been disposed of, receipts may be discarded. Servicing and repairs receipts should be retained and filed in a cabinet or cupboard If a vehicle is sold, any service receipts should be passed on to the new owner.
  
  

Credit Cards

• Some retailers do not issue a separate purchase receipt when payment has been made by credit card. In these circumstances, the receipt should be retained until any guarantee or returns period has expired. Other credit card receipts should be kept until checked against the credit card statement, and may then be destroyed.
  
  

IRS

• Payment receipts from the IRS contain sensitive personal information that criminals would find very attractive. Check with your accountant if there is any need to retain these documents. Most documents which form part of tax records should be kept for seven years. Always file away receipts and documents containing personal information, and never leave out on a desk.