Rockin Mama™

Motherhood, Giveaways and Product Reviews

Identity Theft Protection *Giveaway*

Posted by 278 Comments

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Adrienne.  Congrats!

Did you know that identity theft is one of America’s fastest growing crimes?  Last year, Javelin Strategy and Research estimates that identity theft affected 10 million Americans last year, an increase of 22% from the previous year.  The crime can take many forms including thieves renting an apartment, obtaining a credit card, or establishing a telephone account in your name.  Tax season is a time when identity thieves are looking to take advantages of those of us who do not safeguard our personal information.  Unfortunately, if you don’t review your credit report and credit card statements (I know I’m not always diligent about this), you may not be aware that someone has stolen your identity until a debt collector contacts you.

This year we filed online and the IRS believes that online tax filing will increase 20% in 2010.  However, those documents that you use to file your taxes contain information that identity thieves are after. That is why we make it a point to shred anything personal that we no longer need, and store important documents in a fire-proof lock box.  Last year around this time, I reviewed a Fellowes’ shredder.  Fellowes’ Microshred MS-450Ci shredders “provide unmatched protection, shredding paper documents virtually into dust – nearly 3,000 particles per page, compared to nearly 399 particles per page from a Cross-Cut shredder.”  Here is a bit more information from the site:

The shredder features Fellowes’ 100 percent Jam Proof technology, which includes a sensor that measures the thickness of a paper stack and stops a paper jam before it occurs.  The machines also have a patented SafeSense® technology, which disables the shredders when it senses hands or large pets are too close to the paper opening, and Silent Shred™ technology, which features a quiet motor that diminishes common shredder noise concerns.

You can check out my review from last year of their Fellowes PS-79Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Shredder for a demonstration of how effective they are at shredding.

Fellowes’ Microshred MS-450Ci shredders retail on Amazon for approximately $229.

Here is some information on safe filing this tax season (via Fellowes‘):

Filing Taxes Online

  • Choose a tax filing service you are familiar with. The IRS provides a list of approved companies.
  • Make sure personal computers are protected with updated firewall and secure software systems, which contain antivirus and anti-spyware programs.
  • If you are storing important tax-related documents on your computer, change your passwords frequently between December and April.
  • Ensure that every Web site you are using during tax filing is encrypted to protect personal information when transmitted.
  • Shred any backup documents once you’ve filed your taxes online.

Filing Taxes by Mail

  • Regularly check the mailbox for W-2 forms and other documents containing sensitive information that arrive by mail. If you don’t receive these documents by Feb. 15, contact the IRS for assistance at (800) 829-1040 as missing forms may be an indication that an identity thief went through your mail.
  • Send completed tax returns from a locked mailbox or the post office. If mailing from home, do not put the mailbox flag up. This only alerts identity thieves that there may be an outgoing check in the mail.
  • Make sure tax forms, backup documents and enclosed checks are not visible from the outside. Try wrapping your forms in an extra sheet of paper to disguise the contents of the envelope.
    Keep tax paperwork and other documents in a safe and accessible place, such as a fireproof box in your home.

Win It! One of you will win a Fellowes’ Microshred MS-450Ci shredder.  Simply leave me a comment with a feature from this shredder that you like (info can be found on their website).  Comments will close on April 19, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

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I did not receive compensation for this post.

Caryn Bailey
Latest posts by Caryn Bailey (see all)

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278 Responses to Identity Theft Protection *Giveaway*

  1. My favorite feature is the Jam Proof System ~ we’ve always had problems with that with our shredders!

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  5. I like that it Shreds 7 sheets per pass into 5/64 x 25/64” micro-cut particles You don’t have to feed them in one or two at a time

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  9. I like this feature:
    Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. Reposting, my first does not show up.

    I like Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening.

    janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. My old shredder quit trying to shred a credit card, so I like the fact this unit can shred credit cards and CD’s and DVD’s.

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  17. I like the safety feature. Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. I like that it shreds 7 sheets per pass into 5/64 x 25/64” micro-cut particles. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    jackievillano at gmail dot com

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  20. I like that it’s ultra quiet and stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening..I remember yrs ago hearing news report of kids getting their hands shredded so this is important.

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  34. The biggest problem I have seen in shredders is that they jam. I like that this one has a 100% Jam Proof System.

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  36. I love that this shredder is “ultra – quiet.” We have an old cheap one that’s annoyingly loud.

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  41. What I like about this shredder is that it is quiet and won’t disturb others around me while I am shredding.

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  46. Interesting enough, I wrote about the Microshred line by Fellowes, this morning, before discovering your contest. I already have a great shredder at home, but wanted to post a link to my blog entry this morning. Thanks.

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  48. I love the microshred feature — I hate it when you shred something & can still read most of the info!

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  50. We need a new shredder since ours burned out shredding unneeded tax papers.

    I like that it can shred 7 sheets per pass into 5/64 x 25/64” micro-cut particles (Security Level 4)

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  56. Shreds 13 sheets per pass into 5/32” x 1-1/2” cross-cut particles (Security Level 3)! Nice feature.

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  58. Sheet Capacity 7 – now if I can keep hubby from trying to shove in more than 7 papers we will be in good shape (He has killed our last 2 shredders)
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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  60. My favorite feature is the 100% Jam Proof System that eliminates paper jams! I confess, I am sometimes a “power shredder”.

    Thank you. 🙂

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  61. My favorite feature is the patented SafeSense® Technology that stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening. SAFETY FIRST is what I believe.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  75. With kids, the “Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening” is very important.

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  79. I love the feature of 100% Jam Proof System eliminate paper jams and powers through tough jobs since our current shredder gets clogged a lot.

    constancelavery at msn dot com

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  86. I like that it stops when hands are near, something you need when you have little kids!

    autumn398 @ yahoo.com

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  90. I love the fact that it can shred up to 7 sheets at once. This will be a big help when we clean out the old paperwork from the files.

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  108. I particularly appreciate that it is “ultra-quiet.” That is a super important quality when you have small children. I’d love to be able to work, file, and shred paperwork after the girls are in bed without waking them…

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  110. I love that it is jam proof!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have DESTROYED many shredders silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  126. With little ones, this feature is so important, Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening

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  134. Great product. We have been identity theft victims TWICE and it is really awful! I was pleased to read that is has a 4.8 gallon capacity, which means that it doesn’t have to be emptied constantly.

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  137. Has to be the jam-proof system; ours is so frustrating and I spend so much time un-jamming it. Thank you!

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  143. I like the micro-cut particles–some shredders leave paper in pieces large enough to be put together again.

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  154. A feature from this Fellows shredder that I like Shreds 7 sheets per pass into 5/64 x 25/64” micro-cut particles (Security Level 4). jgs0925 at gmail dot com

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  161. Shreds 7 sheets per pass into 5/64 x 25/64” micro-cut particles (Security Level 4). That sounds really good to me. I haven’t convinced my husband to BUY a shredder, so maybe if I WIN one, he’ll use it. I know I WILL!!!

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  167. With children around I like the feature of Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening
    tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

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  169. My favorite feature is that, like the mills of the gods, it grinds exceedingly fine. That’s a great feature in a shredder.

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  177. I think it’s best feature is the fact that it is a Ultra-quiet high security shredder with jam proof system

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  183. I love that the Shredder is “ultra quiet” and is SAFE (even for us clutzhes) with it’s Patented SafeSense® Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening!

    And last but NOT least (as others have noted(!) – that it has a “Jam Proof System.” I already spend enough time “unjamming” our also rather noisy Printer!

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  185. I like that it’s quiet! Our study/office is right near my child’s bedroom, and I could work and shred after bedtime!
    Thanks,
    Megret
    musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com

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  187. Like the safety features on this shreder: “jam proof” and cut off if fingers touch the shreder opening.

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  189. I like this feature – 10x smaller shreds provide superior protection.

    barbara.montyj at gmail dot com

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  198. Phew…jam proof…I feel like I’ve spent so much time getting jams out of our old shredder…it made me stop using it since it was such a hassle.

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  204. My favorite feature of the Microshred is the Patented SafeSense Technology that stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening! 🙂

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  208. 100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs

    ctazie(at)aol(dot)com

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  212. I have to say the Jam Proof is great. My old shredder is always jamming up. Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  216. I like the feature Shreds 7 sheets per pass into 5/64 x 25/64” micro-cut particles (Security Level 4)

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  220. I love the “100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs ”

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  236. My favorite feature is that its “ultra quiet.” I don’t know what exactly that means, but our old shredder (that died about 2 years ago and has yet to be replaced) used to wake the dead when it ran! It’d be soooo nice to be able to shred in peace and quiet. Thanks!

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  243. Thanks for the giveaway…The best feature of the Fellowes’ Microshred MS-450Ci is the ability to shred all of the following: Paper, CD/DVD’s, Credit Cards, & Staples.

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  249. I like the fact that this shredder is ultra quiet and won’t jam…this means I can use it in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping. Here’s an additional comment: on this date, in 1933, an embargo was placed on all gold shipments…thus having the effect of taking the U.S. off the gold standard.

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  255. i like the fact that it’s ultra quiet. i just can’t stand humming noises when things are turned on, it drives me nuts!

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  274. I like that this shredder has a quiet motor. Older shredders can be loud, especially if you’re shredding more than one sheet at a time

    Reply

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