ID Theft Risk Factor:
You plan to move to a new residence or job location
“We moved to our perfect home. Everything was fine until we applied for local bank and store credit. That’s when we discovered we were victims of identity theft. Our lives stopped. We couldn’t even enroll our children in school. How did this happen?”
Unfortunately, this type of identity theft happens all too often. Let’s face it: moving is stressful and often times in our haste we can be careless about seemingly innocent issues like locking filing cabinets and shredding important documents. And, leaving this important information unprotected can prove disastrous.
If you are planning to move, here are some important tips to remember:
Do This... |
Here's Why... |
Shred your old bills, receipts and financial statements. Don’t leave them in the trash. |
“Identity scavengers” are skilled at going through the remnants of empty dwellings to steal the information you leave behind. |
Make a list of all companies with whom you do business and plan to change your address with each of them immediately.
Note: Most of the bills you receive have a section where you can update your information. |
Your statements could continue to be sent to your old address. The new residents might throw them in the trash, leaving your identity vulnerable. |
Fill out a change of address form at the post office or online at www.usps.com before you move. Note: The post office will forward your mail for a maximum of twelve months, so contact each company directly as soon as possible. |
Your un-forwarded mail could continue to go to your old residence and be left on the steps or in a mailbox, making it very easy for anyone to walk up and take your information. |
Use a locked cabinet to move and store tax and financial records. |
Those "friendly” people who help you move, may not be so friendly after all. An unlocked filing cabinet is like an open invitation to steal your important documents. |
Make sure you scrub any financial programs or stored information from your hard drive if you plan to donate or throw out your old computer. |
Identity thieves are data experts. They can tap into old computers and glean all your important information if you do not properly erase it from your computer. |
Check your credit report shortly after you settle in to your new house.
Note: Relocating may make your personal information more vulnerable, and monitoring will help you detect a problem before it starts. |
The longer stolen activity goes undetected the more damage thieves can do—and the longer it will take for you to recover. |