How many times have you seen a movie where a group of people secretly, frantically shred documents before they’re seen by the authorities? Actually, in real life, shredding looks nothing like this.

Hollywood has warped public perceptions of what paper shredding is all about. Despite what you might have seen on the silver screen, there’s nothing untoward or suspicious about shredding paper.

Realistically, everybody has sensitive documents that they don’t want to fall in the wrong hands. Just being a citizen or having your own business is enough to generate such documents, and the safest thing to do is have them shredded. Here are a few ways that contemporary professional shredding services differ from what you see in the movies.

Home Shredding Services

Far from hustling to shred papers like on the big screen, home shredding services couldn’t be easier and more relaxed. The best on-site shredding companies make it simple: all you need to do is call them, and they’ll arrive at your home and shred the documents at your doorstep in their mobile shredding truck.

For larger volumes, they can come to your home and securely pick up the documents before transporting them to their facility, where they’ll be totally destroyed. Either way, you never need to worry about how to transport heavy boxes of paper.

Nothing to Hide

Hollywood makes it seem like documents are only shredded to cover up something. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth!

If you’re running a small business, you’ll generate many documents that are best kept confidential. Rivals may try to dumpster dive in order to spy on you and learn about your future business plans so they can undermine them.

If you’re simply a citizen, you’ll have forms related to banking, taxes, social insurance, and other such kinds. If an identity thief gets possession of this data, they can potentially use it to impersonate you online and drain your bank account. The idea that only people with something to hide use shredding services is not at all true, and it does a tremendous disservice to an industry that helps everyday people avoid threats related to fraud.

Beyond Paper

Modern shredding services understand that paper isn’t the only place where confidential information is stored. Contemporary shredders are able to destroy sensitive information in whatever form it takes, and often this means electronic devices.

The essential thing is that the microchips in the electronics are destroyed to the point where the data on them cannot be retrieved. The best shredders also take pains to make sure all the materials are recycled properly, whether it’s paper or electronic components.

Everybody should take proper precautions to safeguard their sensitive data, and the best thing you can do is hire professional shredders. While it’s a distinct threat from cyber security breaches from hackers, keeping sensitive information private will help you steer clear of modern fraud-related threats. It’s something ordinary people need to do in real life, even if they do it differently in Hollywood movies.