More than 33% of U.S. adults have been victims of identity theft. Not only is shredding an essential service today — it’s critical to choose the right shredding services provider.
Let’s look at some critical factors you should consider to ensure you are working with the shredding service provider that meets your needs.
6 Critical Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shredding Company
1. Range of Services Provided
The first and most important thing you need to check is the range of services provided by the shredding company. Does the company have all the services you require? Do they have a minimum requirement that makes sense for you? Does the company provide drop-off, offsite, and mobile onsite shredding? Do they offer other types of shredding services (electronics, batteries, etc.)?
Onsite shredding provides customers with the satisfaction that their private data and information is safe — they can watch the shredding take place in a mobile shred truck. Offsite shredding means that your documents will be picked up at your location, and transported to a facility where they will be shredded in a secure area that is accessible only by authorized employees.
2. Protection of Privacy
You must be able to trust that your shredding company will protect your privacy. A reputable shredding company is AAA certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), an international trade organization for information destruction firms. This certification ensures that the company meets the standards required for the secure destruction of information. A AAA certified member of NAID will have the documentation (online and offline) to prove that they have achieved and maintain this status.
3. Certificate of Destruction
A reputable shredding service provider will give you a certificate of destruction after each shred project. If you’re a business owner, this is proof that you are fulfilling your duty to keep your employees’ and clients’ personal information secure — that you have destroyed records properly. The certificate of destruction is not optional; it’s a mandatory certificate that shredding companies need to give their customers after completing a shredding job.
4. Reputation
Another critical factor you should consider is the reputation of the shredding company you are planning to hire. Read online reviews and rating platforms, such as Yelp and Google Reviews, to assess the reputation of the shredding service provider. Ask for references you can contact to learn about their experiences. Does the company arrive as scheduled to pick up documents? Do they contact customers if there are delays (e.g., traffic)? Collect as much information as you can.
In addition, make certain you ask potential providers about surcharges. Some companies include line items on their invoices for “extras” such as Recycling Recovery fees, Ancillary fees, and Fuel Surcharges. These fees can significantly inflate the cost of the service and are often a surprise to the customer. For example, you should ask why a company adds a Fuel Surcharge when the current cost of fuel is less than it was when the company implemented the Surcharge. You want to ensure that the shredding provider you hire is transparent and fair about the cost of their service.
5. Shredding Operations
When you are evaluating shredding companies, ask about their equipment and processes. Is the equipment in good condition, shredding according to industry standards? Do documents remain in a secure, locked container or area until they are processed? A reputable shredding company will gladly provide tours of their facility and explain their processes. They will also insure and bond their employees.
6. Flexibility, Reliability, and Excellent Customer Service
Different customers have different shredding needs when it comes to the destruction of private records. Ensure the shredding company you are planning to hire is flexible when it comes to your needs. Also, reliability is an important factor, especially for business customers. Customer experience goes hand-in-hand with reliability.
Paper Tiger services businesses and individuals in Chicago, Northern Illinois, Gurnee and Southeastern Wisconsin. We offer a full array of secure, cost-effective shredding services, and guarantee your satisfaction. Learn more about our services here, call 1-855-GO-TIGER or email us at info@yourpapertiger.com.
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