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Tips For Avoiding Identity Theft After a Move

Thursday, February 5, 2015

by Tucker Robbins

The previous blog about preventing identity theft during a move dealt primarily with precautionary steps to take from your old residence to thwart clever criminals. So you’re now safely ensconced in your new home. And you can breathe a sigh of relief, right?

identity theft Actually, no. Unfortunately, there are clever identity thieves waiting at that end of your relocation, also, and your efforts to outwit them must continue at your new address. Read on for more advice:

Once you have reached your new home, check to make certain that you have all the important papers and documents you carried with you—and immediately put them in a safe, secured place.
Locate and unpack the box containing your electronic possessions—tablet, IPhone, computers, etc. Account for each one and consider changing your passwords.
Carefully look through your bank statements to make certain that there are no unauthorized charges. You might also think about requesting new credit reports to be sure that your status hasn’t changed significantly.
Make certain that you are receiving your mail at your new address. If you are missing any statements, checks, and the like, report those losses immediately.
Contact your old neighbor to verify that he/she is collecting any mail that arrives to the prior address. Arrange for it to be mailed to you or go by and pick it up, if possible.
If you have to cancel any bank accounts or credit cards because of your relocation, close the account, cut up any cards associated with the account, and shred unneeded papers.
Replace the locks on immediately- preferably before you even move in, as the old tenants could still have keys.
Be diligent and cautious when providing personal information, especially your social security number, to new doctors, organizations, or schools.
After the move set up a “safe zone” where you store important papers and can work on private matters away from the eyes of visitors to your new home, repairmen, utility workers, and strangers.

Although you may not be able to protect your identity 100%, you can go a long way in ensuring peace of mind by being proactive, diligent, and aware, especially during a move.

Information provided by Wilmington Real Estate Expert Tucker Robbins.

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6 Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft When Moving

Thursday, January 29, 2015

by Tucker Robbins

With all the news concerning retailers databases being compromised and resulting in consumer identity theft, you need to be acutely aware of the increase of identity theft during a move and take precautions to prevent your becoming a victim of enterprising criminals. Moving often makes it easier for identity theft to occur: we leave information behind that others can use---mail that is not rerouted to our new address, important papers that aren't shredded but left in the trash, or through hiring rogue movers. The following steps are essential to ensure your protection:

If you are using a moving company, be sure that you know it is a trusted and reliable firm. Sometimes simply getting recommendations from friends, family members, and real estate agents is not enough.
Make a change of address checklist. Before you move, make sure you take the time to list all companies, institutions, and subscriptions that you receive through the postal system. Click here for a list of those you should include. Personally notify all financial institutions of your plans to leave your home. One of the easiest ways that someone can obtain your personal identity is through mail theft.
Submit a change of address form to the U.S. Post Office. Once your form has been filed, double-check the confirmation from the Postal Service to make sure that they list your new address correctly. Your mail should start being delivered to your new residence within seven to 10 business days after you submit a change-of-address filing. Ask a current neighbor to take in any mail that comes to your old address after you move.
Although moving is a good time to discard unwanted personal files, records, and documents, don’t just throw them away; shred them!
Make sure your technological “toys”---computers, cell phones, tablets, and the like—are secured by passwords and packed in unmarked boxes. Better yet, take the computers, hard drives, and other external storage devices with you when you travel to your new home.
Stay in your current home as much as you can while movers are there.