Finally, I used the pre-printed business reply envelope to mail off the credit card application to Chase.

No stamp required!

I had a few weeks before I would know if my terribly mangled application would be accepted or rejected, so I did some research on the web.

On the Chase Website about protecting your identity, I learned that I should tear up financial solicitations that I am not interested in.

This was bad news. Maybe my card would never come.

I also checked the Federal Trade Commission website on protecting your identity.

They suggested that I "tear or shred" credit applications and other forms before discarding them. Companies dedicated to protecting your identity, such as Life Lock, also suggest shredding documents with personal information on them.

In a few days, I'd know if tearing-up was really a good strategy. I mean, companies spend money to have their sensitive documents destroyed, like contracting a document shredder, but those are cautious companies with a lot to lose. I should be fine, right?

Please Continue Reading Page Four of My Torn-Up Credit Card Application.