IDENTITY THEFT IS A SERIOUS THREAT IN TODAY’S WORLD, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO AVOID IT. AFTER IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO RETAIN YOUR TAX RECORDS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, YOU SHOULD DISPOSE OF THESE RECORDS BY SHREDDING THEM AND NOT DISPOSING OF THEM BY MERELY THROWING THEM AWAY IN THE TRASH.