So I have a bunch of checks

[TNDemo]

that are from an account that was closed years ago. The address isn't even the same. Can I just throw these in the trash or do they need to be shredded?

[Dr Morbius]

1. Rip each checkbook in half and toss 'em. You're fine. (nt)

[MicaelS]

2. Do they have your SSN, Driver's License Number or other unique

Identifier? Then definitely shred them. Otherwise, I would put them at the bottom of a bag of trash and pour some liquid over them.

[pitohui]

3. i shred them, me

if someone tries to pass them, and they aren't arrested on the spot, but a warrant is issued later, the warrant would end up having your name/old address on it, could cause problems because the person who would ultimately be linked to the crime would be you, and maybe after such a passage of time that they wouldn't remember what the bad checkwriter actually looked like

happened to someone in my neighborhood a few years back

these days there might be video to prove the person passing the bad check wasn't you...but i sure wouldn't count on it -- it could be claimed that you passed the check KNOWING the account was long closed, which is a crime and even a felony sometimes depending on the amount of the check the grifter wrote...

shred 'em!!! and then hose down the shreds with old sour milk or at least water before you toss em!

unfortunately a family member/friend/someone else who has access to your house is most likely to commit that kind of crime, rather than a random trash-picker so the checks aren't safe just sitting on a back shelf either

SHRED EM!!!