Beware of shredding those free address labels you get in the mail. I had a shredder that previously handled (quite nicely) the address labels - and then it didn't. I'll have to replace the unit. I spent an hour pulling out bits of labels with needle nose pliers and asked DH to check it out, too, after a long day at work. Expensive lesson.
So how do you get rid of addy labels in this day and age of identity theft? I am thinking of getting rid of the shredder top and keeping it as a trash can (just to recycle). It'll be known as my "$100 trash can".
By Holly
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Hello...
Yes, you are right, it does make a mess in the shredder. I always put the sticky labels between other sheets of paper that need to be shredded, it works for me. I hope it works for you. Have a great weekend..
May I ask if they are only address labels why are you shredding them? Your name and address are available everywhere.
I peel the labels off and put them in the sink filled with a little water, after the labels are totally wet I roll them into balls and the little balls into one larger ball, they are all stuck together and totally unreadable.
I';m not sure I Understood why you wanted to shred return address labels? Why wouldn't you use them? I don't see how someone can steal your identity with just the name and address and it's out there lots of places anyway....are you listed in the phone book?
Hi, Holly,
I recently read a tip (not sure where, though!) that you should periodically oil the cutting blades of your shredder by thinly spreading some pure oil (like vegetable oil) onto a sheet of copier-weight paper and making a 'paper sandwich' with the oiled paper between two other sheets, then run the 3 sheets through your shredder. You then need to shred several single sheets that you have cut from the newspaper, to absorb the extra oil.
Nancy in Florida
I, also shred everything that has our name on it. We aren't listed in the phone book either since 1980. A couple years ago, somehow someone still got my then 10 year old son's social security number. The only thing we could think of then was the fact that we took our trash off to the trash pile in our town. Prisoners work there helping folks unload their trash. Back then when my son's ss # was stolen, we only had a strip shredder, we know better now. I go thru a shredder about 1 a year. You can never be too careful. I like the post from Poco, and plan on trying it when I'm between shredders.
I'm not worried that my address labels will create an identity theft problem, but a lot of times the address will be incorrect. I shred these because I often use address labels to fill in forms so I won't have to do all that writing...arthritis and sore hands...It doesn't make sense to use a label that isn't right.
It sounds a little paranoid to me!?!? How could they steal your identity with just your name and address? It's not like your ss# or any other information listed on your credit report is listed on the address label. Just my opinion...
The name and address can be combined with other information to steal your identity. Don't make it easy for them. Shred EVERYTHING.
There are several likely possibilities for having a problem with the paper shredder. Charity fundraising address labels that have foil borders are actually totally foil with white ink printed on top of the foil so that the laser printer toner has something to stick to. Foil is very hard on your typical cheap-o shredder.
I agree with the posts that recommend putting some oil in the shredder blades or sandwich it between paper. I would recommend a light machine oil that you can get at any hardware store.
As to shredders, your cheap ones typically will only last about a year. Your shredder should be a cross cut that meet Security level 3 standard. I have a Dahle shredder - they are more expensive up front, but they last much longer than the junk you get at office supply houses.
Lastly, I also agree that you have little to worry about if it is just your name and address. Any thief can simply take junk mail from your mail box and acquire that information without digging through smelly trash.
I never mail bills from my home because I had a thief take my outgoing credit card payment and forge a fake name and cash the check. (bank teller screwed up) I got the $1,800 back after a couple months of headaches. Moral of the story is that shredding is a good idea, but you have to do more than just shred.
Scott Lee
President
www.superiorlabels.com
I shred anything with my name and address on it.
I also put anything sticky, between other sheets of paper to prevent what happend to you shredder. Better luck next time when you buy one.
Don't let all these other folks make you stop shredding your information. It is better to be safe and not sorry. Any information, is too much information in this time of the internet. People still look in your trash for info. just like the stuff you have been shredding.
I too shred my addres labels not because I am worried about anyone getting my info but because I simply have gotten into the habit of shredding anything with my name on it
I get literally hundreds of address labels in the mail asking for donations monthly. Can't possibly use 'em up and I sure don't pay for them. Notifying these companies hasn't stopped the flood.
I too shred anything with my name and address on it regardless of whether or not they can steal my identity.
I had the same problem with those sticky labels ruining my shredder. I usually stick the labels on a scratch piece of paper first and then put it through the shredded. It's a little time consuming, but it's better than a ruined shredder.
Putting sticky items between sheets of paper is helpful! Most home shredders should be treated to a sheet of paper with a small amount of oil on it after 30 minutes of use. For me that's about twice a month since I usually don't shred more than 5 minutes at a time. My $19.99 shredder is five years old! And I've found other uses for the unsolicited address labels. I use them in my books that I want to keep, put it on the bottom of dishes that I take to pot lucks or to a shut in so that I'm sure to get them back. They even go on DVDs that get loaned out to family members. There are probably many other ways to use these freebies!
We get maybe 1000+ free address labels per year. We can not use them all.
This thread is really old, but thought I'd add my two cents anyway, just in case. With sticky labels, I go the old fashioned way and cut them with cheap scissors. Kind of hard on the hands, but at least I don't worry about gumming up the shredder. Usually I get kids' scissors for this, since they're cheap and the scissors will get sticky eventually from all the cutting. When the sticky scissors aren't good anymore, I just toss them and use a new one.
Pre-oiled sheets of paper, to run through your shredder, are sold at most office supply stores. They're not too expensive and easy to use. They usually leave a spot or two of oil inside the can, where the shredded paper comes out.
To avoid cleaning any oil inside the can -- I empty any paper out of the can. Line the can with a plastic bag, being VERY CAREFUL to keep the plastic away from the blades. Put the shredder part back on top of the can, so the shredder is ready to shred. Then I run the pre-oiled sheet of paper through. (The pre-oiled instructions usually say to run the blades in reverse mode too, so please just follow the directions.) Then I take out the plastic bag and toss it. Pretty easy. (I don't recommend using a plastic bag for regular paper shredding, it could really jam up your shredder. I only use it VERY CAREFULLY while using the pre-oiled sheets.)
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