Whether you run a small business or own a private medical practice, chances are that somewhere in your office, there is a filing cabinet—or several—filled to capacity with important client files. While you may have had the best of intentions storing each of these files close by and within reach, the truth is you could be jeopardizing the security of your business and your clients by making vital information and data so accessible. Let’s take a closer look at security risks of keeping client files in your file room.

Breaches In Privacy

Without a doubt, one of the largest security risks you take by keeping client files in an on-site file room is the exposure of private client-related information such as dates of birth, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and addresses. Although you may assume that these important statistics will be adequately safeguarded in your office, it only takes one successful break-in or assistance from employees who should not have access to these files for such pertinent data to fall into the wrong hands.

Financial Penalties

In addition to presenting major security implications, the disappearance of, or improper storage of, client files can also result in fines by various government agencies. According to a recent Forbes magazine article , even large hospitals and banks have had to pay upwards of hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars in fines for improperly securing paper documents.

Loss of Business

Placing your clients at risk of experiencing identity theft is certainly an unwise business strategy. In order to avoid losing customers as a result of inefficient security standards around the office, consider placing their confidential files in an off-site location that is constantly under surveillance, such as a self-storage or records storage facility.

Are you ready to increase the level of security that both you and your clients enjoy? If so, be sure to speak with Specialists at Pouch Self Storage to discover the benefits of keeping files in a highly secure Self Storage or Records Management facility. Call (888) 258-9626 to learn more about our document shredding and file storage in Orange County.

If you are like most Americans, one of your biggest concerns when banking, filling out your taxes, or engaging in other secure and important business is reducing your risk for becoming a victim of identity theft. According to the expert in this video, in the year 2012 more than 4,000 complaints of identity theft were filed in the state of Wisconsin alone. One way to safeguard yourself and those you love is to shred documents once they are obsolete.

As a general rule of thumb, shred tax documents after seven years, pay stubs and W2 paperwork after one year of submitting, and credit card statements 45 days after receiving them in the mail. Always shred documents that contain your name, Social Security number, signature, or any pin codes.

Another way to reduce your risk of experiencing identity theft is to store your important documents in a self-storage unit at Pouch Self Storage or contact any of our Self Storage Specialists to inquire about our convenient On-Site shredding. To find out what size storage unit you need or the nearest On-site Shredding location, call us today at (888) 258-9626. Our storage units in Anaheim and throughout California will keep your documents safe.

On Halloween we had several customers give us compliments on our costumes and a thumbs-up for being young at heart and handing out candy. Not only did our staff have fun dressing up; some of our customers got into the festivities too! Check out Cinderella’s costume pictured below. The Evil Step Mother and 2 Step Sisters were not in the picture, as they were still loading Cinderella’s items into her storage unit. It was a busy and fun-filled Halloween!

If you’re getting ready to relocate your business , it’s important to prepare yourself for what could otherwise be a stressful and exhausting process by researching tips in advance for a smooth move. From boxing up secure documents to moving bulky furniture like desks and filing cabinets, and furniture, there are numerous items on your checklist to address before the big moving day arrives. Here is a guide to preparing for an office move that will help get you started.

Choose a New Location

Now that you’ve decided to relocate your business, the first step is to find a new location.  No matter what type of company, non-profit, or organization you run, it is of the utmost importance that you select a location that will help your business grow and attract new customers and keep your current clientele. Once you’ve signed a new lease, be sure to tell your current customers about the move and market it as much as possible.

Set a Budget and Timeline

After your new location is chosen and worked into your budget, be sure to consider other important expenses such as moving services and purchasing new furniture. Don’t forget to use this time to clean both your old and new locations. This is also a good time to create a timeline. Determine how much time you will need to complete each task so no major work needs to be done at the last minute.

Contact a Storage Center

One of the biggest differences between moving a home and moving an office is that the latter often requires you to move numerous documents. Instead of having your movers haul your items to your new place and crowding it, rent a self-storage unit that you can access when necessary.

Here at Pouch Self-Storage , we offer convenient self-storage services that make moving a commercial space a breeze. No matter how many filing cabinets or secure records you need stored, you’re sure to find a self-storage unit that fits your requirements. To find out more about business storage in Orange County and in our other POUCH facilities, call (888) 258-9626.

Oct. 26, 2013

This past Saturday, we were going through our normal routine for the day: greeting & giving our tenants their keys. All of a sudden, one tenant caught our eye when she parked in front of our office. She came in to the office smiling and greeting everyone with “Happy Peace Day.”  She then added, “Well, I don’t look scary for my costume, but I do want to send a message of Peace and Harmony. Maybe this will make a statement”. At the end of the day, we realized what she had meant.

Halloween is right around the corner, but the message of Peace instead of Fear is a positive gesture that our tenants bring, and we like to provide the same to them.

Take full advantage of your local self-storage facility by using it to store items for which you have no room. If you plan to relocate some of your belongings to a storage unit, though, it is essential to get a space that is the right size.

Gather all of the belongings that you plan to put into a self-storage unit in one location. You can then take detailed measurements of the height, length, and width surrounding the perimeter of these items. Talk to your self-storage specialist at POUCH Self Storage about your options, or you can go to our website and use our unit size calculator to help you determine what size storage unit you need.

Pouch Self Storage offers the best storage options in Orange County, Long Beach, Pasadena and Rancho Cucamonga. With a variety of units and self-storage options , we can help you find a space for your items. To learn more, take a look at our website or call us at (888) 258-9626.

In the last week or so the fall flowers have come into full bloom here at Tustin.  Since the parade, it seems the flowers have become a big crowd pleaser.  We get all kinds of people coming by and taking pictures and asking who our gardeners are.  Their comments have been that we have the most colorful and best landscape around here. We are pleased to hear it!

Photo taken in Palm Beach, Sydney, Australia.   

Moving into a new home should be enjoyable for the entire family. If you start planning early, you can experience a quick and easy move that allows the family to efficiently get from your old home to your new one! Utilizing the right tools, like POUCH self-storage centers , can help you enjoy the most efficient move possible. Follow these tips for a stress-free move:

Start Planning Early

Getting the family involved in the process as early as possible is essential for a successful move. Sit down with the family to talk about where your new house is located, when you will be moving, and what responsibilities you will need to take care of before you can leave your current home. Work together to create a moving timeline that will help you stay on track!

Get the Right Packing Supplies

Investing in quality packing supplies is important for getting your belongings to your new house without losing or damaging them. Purchase boxes in a variety of sizes, along with packing tape, paper and bubble wrap, and markers. Decide which boxes will work best for different items in your home. You can use the paper or bubble wrap to secure loose items, and don’t forget to make a list of what is inside each box with a marker.

Sort Through Your Belongings

Each member of the family can be responsible for packing the items in his or her room. As the moving date gets closer, ask each family member to sort through his or her belongings. Everyone should create a pile of items to keep, items to donate, and items to discard. This will help to get rid of unused or unwanted items before the move.

Take Advantage of Self-Storage

Make your move as smooth as possible with self-storage! You can store items you do not use regularly or do not want to bring to your new home, but do not want to give away. This will make it easier to focus on moving what you need.

Pouch Self Storage can help you plan a stress-free move! Learn about our self storage in Orange County and throughout California by visiting our website at www.pouchselfstorage.com or calling us today at (888) 258-9626.

When planning a move, knowing your timeframe is essential. This helps you find time to pack, organize with a moving company, and cancel utilities in the old place. Try to make a list of all of the moving-related tasks you need to complete so you can clearly see how much time you have in which to do them. For more great tips, check out this video. 

With the help of POUCH Self-Storage , you can plan a simple and stress-free move . With many locations throughout Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, we offer the self-storage options, *Free Truck Move (call for details) and moving supplies that you need to relocate without hassle. Call us at (888) 258-9626 to learn more about our services and storage units in Anaheim and throughout California.