How to throw away expired credit cards?

Question

I have expired credit cards. I want to throw them away. How do you do it? Cut the into small pieces? will I be safe from ID theft? Thank you for your answers.

Answer 1

ALWAYS cut the cards into 'strips' using the 'longest side' and cutting the strips so that none of the numbers or you name can be seen ... it's really best to put the card through a 'confetti shredder' because that 'really chews them up' ... but BEWARE ... there are 'identity thieves' who can go through the garbage and 'pick out' the pieces of a card and 'reassemble it' to get all of the information, so I actually put the 'cut card' in with some really STINKY, WET, ICKY garbage so they won't want to 'touch it' to extract the pieces.

Answer 2

Cut them into small pieces (very small), but don't throw away all the pieces at the same time or in the same bin.
Maybe throw some away at home and some at work so it's not possible to puzzle it back together

P.S. I work at a Bank

Answer 3

People's identity is getting stolen more and more these days so when you have any information about an account number or your SSN you need to shred all the paperwork you don't need. With an expired credit card I would either cut it into tiny pieces or put them through your shredder.

Answer 4

I am uber paranoid about that.. I usually take a good strong pair of scissors and cut right across the middle where the numbers are, then cut the remaining all into tiny pieces, then I throw different parts into different trash bags, so they are not all in the same bag (in case some bright genious tries to puzzle it all back together)

Answer 5

The best way is to shred your expired credit cards. If you don't have any shredder that takes credit cards, just cut it in small pieces.

Answer 6

Yes, cut the card into small pieces, or you may even be able to put them in a paper shredder. Then I would wrap up the pieces in paper or something so it is not obvious in your trashcan that is a cut card. As long as you can't read the numbers, you should be fine.

Answer 7

If you are no longer carrying a balance on them, call & cancel them. And make sure that you tell them that you are VOLUNTARILY canceling them.

If you are still using them, just shred them or like you said cut them into tiny pieces. If it were ME being the paranoid type, I would throw some away in one weeks trash & some in next weeks… But like I said – that is just me…

You are never 100% protected from identity theft.

Answer 8

I cut them in small pieces & throw about half of the pieces away one day & a week or so later throw out the other half so they aren't dumped in the same place.

Answer 9

Cut them into 4 pieces each, with numbers divided between the pieces. Throw them out via different trash bins (some from home, some while you're out).

Answer 10

Cut them up and throw the pieces into different trash cans. Or build a fire in a fireplace or fire pit in your yard and burn them if you are really nervous. Thing is, expired cards can't hurt you if you trust your bank to not divulge info if someone calls.