# Even Torn-Up Credit Card Applications Aren't Safe **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 15, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480 "2006-03-15T17:05:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/21 "2006-03-16T14:30:10Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > My bank(s) and I have an arrangement. > > They send me applications forms, assuring me how much more wonderful my life would be if I were in debt to them. > > And I shred them into little pieces. > > It’s all rather a waste of time, but it keeps them happy. Coming from a person with your user name, that is very nicely ironic… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/22 "2006-03-16T14:33:54Z")
I toss my junk maill into the fire place. In fall, when it’s finally cool enough for a fire after a hot summer, the fire is large and hot. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/23 "2006-03-16T15:01:54Z")
> [@Angel of the Lord](#): > > Actually, what I’ve done is soak a few pieces in water, then smoosh them into pulp. Hmmm… getting a blender may be more effective, and perhaps cheaper, than getting a shredder. Any recommendations on a water additive that helps to “digest” paper and can be safely poured on the garden? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/24 "2006-03-16T17:09:14Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > I tear up, and dispose of portions with significant numbers in scattered trash cans, multiple miles apart. Same thing, but only a few feet apart. Some of the relevant pieces end up in the dumpster, the others go out in the recycle bin. Good luck finding all the pieces then! Sometime I even take a few to work, for the shred bin here. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/25 "2006-03-16T17:50:16Z")
I shred them then scoop the poop out of the cat boxes and put it on top of the shred-mess 😉 I figure thieves won’t want to work that hard and smelly. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/26 "2006-03-16T17:51:59Z")
What about those damn “checks” the credit card companies include with your current credit cards? I wonder if that taped together would get cashed. ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/27 "2006-03-16T18:02:59Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > What about those damn “checks” the credit card companies include with your current credit cards? I wonder if that taped together would get cashed. I hate those frickin things. “Here are some wonderful ‘convenience’ checks for you, which is like free money and don’t pay any attention to this line that says we’ll charge you 112% interest on them. Enjoy!” Those go straight into the shredder. Maybe I should feed the shredded bits to my dog, just to be safe… ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/28 "2006-03-16T18:09:35Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > What about those damn “checks” the credit card companies include with your current credit cards? I wonder if that taped together would get cashed. I’d be interested in knowing this as well. It seems about half of what I end up having to shred is those damn cash advance checks. I wish there were some way of opting out of those. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/29 "2006-03-16T18:32:32Z")
I think there might be. Generally you have the option to opt out of special offers from your bank. It’s worth a call to see if they will do this for you. ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/30 "2006-03-16T18:55:23Z")
> [@JustAnotherGeek](#): > > One word: Bonfire! Oh, yeah, and [#118!](http://www.skippyslist.com/skippylist.html) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/31 "2006-03-16T20:07:50Z")
> [@Monstre](#): > > I hate those frickin things. “Here are some wonderful ‘convenience’ checks for you, which is like free money and don’t pay any attention to this line that says we’ll charge you 112% interest on them. Enjoy!” > > Those go straight into the shredder. Maybe I should feed the shredded bits to my dog, just to be safe… Call your CC company and tell them not to send you any more of those. I did that a couple years ago and haven’t received one since. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/32 "2006-03-16T20:49:25Z")
By the way, here’s the boilerplate response I got from Chase when I asked them for comments on the Case of the Approved Torn-Up-And-Reconstructed Application: \*We realize that you are concerned with your account’s security and want to assure you that information security is our top priority. We actively monitor all account activity to prevent and detect fraud. In addition, you are fully protected by Visa and MasterCard’s $0 liability policy, which means that you pay nothing in the event of unauthorized purchases. We pride ourselves in having some of the industries most sophisticated systems for preventing unauthorized use and unauthorized access to our Cardmembers’ accounts. If you have any further questions, please reply using the Secure Message Center.\* Under the circumstances, I think that last bit is priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/33 "2006-03-16T21:39:25Z")
I take my information, shred it, then burn it. I take the ashes, mix it with water and then drink it. Then, I drive around town peeing just a little bit on lots of different things. Never had a problem since. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480/34 "2006-03-16T23:44:48Z")
I created a fake memo at work once; **"It has come to our attention that some of you are tearing confidential documents into eight pieces instead of walking to the shredder. One of our competitors has broken the eight piece code, so this is no longer effective. Henceforth, all confidential documents must be torn into at least twelve pieces. Thank you."** My vegetable garden contains about a bushel of shredded, composted CC applications and “convenient” checks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-torn-up-credit-card-applications-arent-safe/348480.md?page=1)