The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (FACTA) required businesses and individuals to take appropriate measures to dispose of sensitive information derived from consumer reports.

The Rule applies to people and both large and small organizations that use consumer reports, including: consumer reporting companies; lenders; insurers; employers; landlords; government agencies; mortgage brokers, car dealers; attorneys; private investigators; debt collectors; individuals who pull consumer reports on prospective home employees, such as nannies or contractors; and entities that maintain information in consumer reports as part of their role as a service provider to other organizations covered by the Rule.

Not only from a compliance standpoint does it make good sense to destroy consumer report information, but also as a customer service issue.  Giving out your social security number itself can make a person feel a bit uneasy these days.  Imagine the impact it would give your potential customer if when done with their information you walk right over to a large deparmental shredder and destroy their information in front of them.  You don't have to tell them that you care about protecting their identity and account information, you just SHOWED THEM YOU CARE.  That speaks volumes.