I have a few boxes of blank checks from an old account that’s been closed for several years. What’s the risk of just throwing them out in the trash? What’s the worst someone can do, if they tried to use them? It just seems like a PITA to have to shred them.
The account is closed. Paper shredding is pointless and a waste of electricity. Just throw them out. Wallpaper your spare room. Make origami.
While I wouldn’t bother shredding. I’d probably at least try to tear each packet in half. I’d think you could do that with not too much effort while your watching TV some evening (assuming you do). This might prevent someone else from getting stuck with a bad check.
Another quick and dirty alternative to shredding is soaking. Toss 'em in a five gallon bucket of water, maybe add some bleach, and leave it in the garage or back yard for a few days.
Shred or otherwise destroy them. I can imagine a scenario in which someone finds the checks, calls up the bank, uses the account/routing numbers and your name and address to figure out some other info about you, which leads to an identity theft.
Then again, I suppose this could happen, and maybe more easily, with any check you write on an active account–who knows where they end up?
The last time I had to dispose of checks (my name was misspelled) I burnt them, but since I didn’t close the account (actually I’d just opened) it’s not quite the same situtation.
Or just take them by the bank the next time you go (if you ever visit the bank). They have big shred bins that handle all the sensitive documents.
shred bins sound like a good idea. Any office usually has them.
Scissors.
How many checkbooks do you have?
Just take them one at a time, cut it in half with one snip of the scissors. How hard can that be?
A check order had a minor misprint. When the corrected checks arrived I took the old ones and tore each book in half and tossed the halves in separate garbage cans.
Find a two year old and instruct him not to touch the checks. In five minutes they’ll be torn up beyond recognition 
A book of checks will KILL a cheap wastebasket shredder. I speak from experience.
Would that be my wayward son, Carryon?
Now there is a line you must have been saving for a long time.
Either that, or Lovis Cumming Tuisall.
There’ll be peace when we are done.
If they’re shredded, there’ll be pieces when he is done.
Lay your weary checks to rest.
Don’t you cut no more.
For the serious answer – this.
“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
All we are is shreds in the bin.