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Small business identity theft is a major problem in Canada. It isn’t just individuals who can have their sensitive and private information stolen for the financial gain of fraudsters. A thief can assume the identity of a business using their Employer Identification Number (EIN), like using one’s Social Security Number, to steal assets, apply for loans or credit, secure payments, and access the personal information of employees, clients, and customers. Other common information can be taken from a company’s website to fill in the remaining details. This nightmare scenario can cause much damage to a small business, including loss of finances, resources, ruining credit, and making it extremely difficult to acquire loans as well as public trust in the future.

Small businesses are larger targets than big corporations because they don’t have the resources to protect themselves. At Absolute Destruction & Recycling Corp., our primary concern is your business’s security. There are several things you can do to immediately improve and safeguard your company’s valuable assets. Make sure that staff passwords are routinely changed, and that no one records their password anywhere that can be accessed. Keep confidential customer information limited, password protected, and properly encrypted. Hire third-party professionals to take care of IT security and perform regular security audits. A business’s success also depends on proper data destruction like paper shredding and destroying old electronics and drives.

Hackers aren’t the only threat to your security. Identity theft can occur from stolen paper files or old electronics that are thrown away, improperly recycled, or just lying around. Never leave boxes of papers, files, storage drives, disks, etc. out in the open. These should be kept in locked locations with limited employee access and kept completely inaccessible to the public. Identity thieves could be complete strangers to the business; but they could also be employees, customers, suppliers, or competitors. It’s vital to regularly purge your business of old files, electronic devices, storage drives, and more.

Absolute Destruction is at the top of the list of the best shredding companies in Richmond Hill and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area. We provide exceptional on-site shredding and destruction services with the highest levels of security and the most eco-friendly policy in the industry. Our on-site services will provide you with peace-of-mind because you can physically and visually verify that we have completed your job on your premises. Our mobile shredding trucks will come to you and destroy any records, however they’re stored, where you can visually verify the job has been done. Our uniformed, bonded, and photo I.D.’d customer service reps will also provide you with a “Certificate of Destruction” and “Guarantee of Recycling”. For extra peace-of-mind, we’re certified by the – the official governing body for those providing information destruction. Be assured we’re always here to help with any questions that come up.

Identity theft is a growing problem for small businesses and individuals. Have a third party check your computer systems and e-commerce set-up. Regularly use shredding and data destruction services and restrict the access to the files and systems necessary to keep running. Be sure to lock up filing cabinets, password protect electronic systems, and never email or transmit important numbers like EINs or account numbers over the web without first checking the site’s security certificate. For more tips on how to protect your small business from identity theft, check out these tips.