Paper Shredding Houston is important for a variety of reasons. For one, it helps to protect your identity. If your personal information gets into the wrong hands, it could be used to open new accounts in your name or make unauthorized charges on your existing accounts. Shredding your documents can help to prevent this type of fraud. Additionally, paper shredding can help to reduce environmental waste. Every year, millions of trees are cut down to produce paper products. However, only a small percentage of this paper ends up being recycled. The rest is either sent to landfills or burned in incinerators. By shredding your documents, you can help to reduce the amount of paper that ends up in these wasteful disposal methods.
If you have a lot of old documents that you no longer need, shredding them can help you clear out some space.
1. Do You Need Physical Stock Certificates?
In the past, most companies issued physical stock certificates to their shareholders. However, today, many companies have moved away from this practice and now use electronic records instead. If you own shares in a company that still issues physical certificates, you may be wondering if you need to keep them or if you can shred them.
There are a few things to consider before you make a decision. First, check with the company to see if they allow shareholders to hold electronic records instead of physical certificates. If so, you may be able to request that your shares be transferred to an online account. Second, even if the company does not offer electronic records, you may still be able to sell your shares without the need for a physical certificate.
2. Information Required on Stock Certificate –
A stock certificate typically includes the name of the issuing company, the number of shares you own, and your name and address. Other information may also be included, such as the date the shares were issued, the par value of the shares, and any special restrictions on the shares. If you decide to keep your certificate, be sure to store it in a safe place where it will not be damaged or lost.
3. Dividends Paid in Paper Checks –
If you own shares in a company that pays dividends, you may receive these payments in the form of paper checks. While you can certainly deposit these checks into your bank account, you may also want to shred them for security reasons. Once you have deposited the check, the information on it is no longer needed and can be shredded.
4. Paper Stock Certificates vs. Electronic Records –
As mentioned earlier, many companies now issue electronic records instead of physical stock certificates. There are a few benefits to this change. First, it is more efficient and eco-friendly since there is no need to print and mail paper certificates. Second, it can help to reduce fraud since electronic records are more difficult to forge than paper certificates. Finally, shareholders can easily view and manage their holdings online. If your company offers electronic records, you may want to consider switching to this option.
5. Are Stock Certificate Templates Valid
If you are a shareholder in a company that has stopped issuing physical stock certificates, you may be tempted to create your own certificate using a template. However, it is important to note that these templates are not valid and should not be used in place of an official certificate. If you need a replacement certificate, contact the company directly. They will usually be able to provide you with the necessary paperwork. Paper Shredding houston can help protect against fraud and reduce environmental waste. Be sure to keep these things in mind when deciding whether or not to shred your documents. Conclusion –
Whether or not you need to keep your physical stock certificates is up to you. However, there are a few things to consider before you make a decision. Be sure to check with the company and see if electronic records are an option. You should also think about whether or not you need the certificate for tax purposes. Paper Shredding Houston can help with this as well. Thanks for reading!
