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A lot of companies are “going green” by telling customers to go paperless. They make statements that it helps the earth and saves trees all the while keeping your information safe.
According to twosides.us, the statement that going paperless saves trees is misleading. “The message that “going paperless saves trees” is misleading because it links paper to deforestation, i.e. the permanent removal of forest. In the United States, however, the paper industry encourages and depends on sustainable forest management practices that regenerate billions of trees annually.”
On the other hand, how many times do you hear on the news someone hacked a company’s system and your private information was compromised. I know I have received this e-mail at least once. This means I have to change all of my passwords, and I usually delete that company from my mailing list.
Companies make claims that our information is “safe.” Now I don’t argue with the fact hacks don’t happen all of the time. However, anytime you store customer information in a central location, it makes the job easy for hackers.
Just imagine if “hackers” had to drive around to everyone’s mailbox and physically take the mail from the mailbox. They wouldn’t get as much “good” information, and they would have to risk being caught red-handed. I guess they could steal an entire post office mailbox, but that is risky as well, and there is no guarantee of what they will find inside.
Also, if you think about it, companies are pushing printing costs onto the consumer. Some companies now charge customers a monthly fee for paper statements. According to twosides.us, “…according to ESP Consulting, telecommunications companies can expect to save 45 percent per bill, while credit card companies save 37 percent when a paper bill is converted to an e-bill.” Instead of sending you a printed statement, they send you an e-statement. You can then print that off using your own ink and paper.
I don’t know about you, but I still think paper statements, bills, and letters are the way to go. What about you?
For more information about myths and facts, check out www.twosides.us.
