Summertime provides an endless number of ways for you to take it easy, unless it’s doesn’t. It’s also moving time. Whether we’re talking about college kids coming home for a couple of months or simple relocation, there’s nothing relaxing about a move-or simple. Get it wrong, and you become vulnerable to identity theft along with other forms of fraud.
For many individuals, moving is sufficiently stressful, without any complications or threats of crime, but what most people don’t realize is usually that the possibility of an identity-related crime is high. Few have a clue what kind of supernova, black hole intergalactic terrible might be awaiting them on the other side of that move. We are not referring to late moving vans, smashed parcels or wayward personal items-We are speaking about neglected or poorly protected personally identifiable information. Identity theft has become the third certainty in your life, right behind death and taxes. It is so prevalent that you must assume it may happen to you, and then take the proper precautions to keep it from disrupting your daily life. And yes it could be a considerable disruption. An excellent rule of thumb regarding the time it requires to recover from identity theft is six months-and about 200 hours. Even if you are working with a company that provides identity theft resolution, you’re going to spend some time working through the kinks after an assault on your identity.
Relocating: A high risk Time for Your Identity
An ounce of prevention
In “Swiped: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves,” There is something called the three M’s. It’s essentially a strategy for existing in a world-this one-where it’s no longer a question about if you are going to be a victim of identity theft but when.
The 3 M’s are: 1. Minimize your exposure 2. Monitor your accounts 3. Manage the damage. Although the third heading here is crucial, the first two tend to be more important to the topic on hand.
Under the first heading: Before, during and after your move, don’t share too much information with people you don’t know – whether in person, on the phone or online via social networking. Make sure that you set long and robust passwords; properly secure all computers, tablets and smartphones used by you and your family; use two-factor authentication where possible; and shred sensitive documents. The last recommendation is extremely important when moving, since a lot of paper doesn’t have to come with you but contains sensitive information.
Second: Monitor yourself. Vigilance is the name of the game. You can check your credit rating for free in a number of ways (for example, you can see two of your credit scores free of charge on Credit.com each and every month).
You should also consider enrolling in transactional notification programs. They may be offered at no cost via your bank, credit union and credit card providers. Alternately, you are able to sign up for various credit and fraud monitoring services which will let you know any changes to your credit report-like new accounts or inquiries that you didn’t ask for-a telltale sign that somebody has your details.
When moving, it is a wise decision to step up your game. A lot of mail with important details are gonna be in flux. Online billing and autopay are sound options in order to avoid lost or forgotten bills and payments while you transition.
Take address notification seriously
Always be certain the federal agencies that send you mail know where you reside. A short list of places you really need to inform of any changes include the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Next, you will want to ensure that you forward your mail from your old address, but additionally be proactive and directly contact people and organizations that regularly send you mail. Letter carriers aren’t perfect, and you get substitutes on routes that may cause forwards to be ignored. Not only that, but the forwarding period generally ends after a year (it’s typically good for only 60 days on periodicals), and then your replacement in the old homestead will be receiving your mail, or it will likely be left in a public space if you live in an apartment building.
There are services that will notify everyone that you have moved. Companies that help people relocate do it as well. Listed here is a long (but by no means exhaustive) directory of places you will need to notify of the address change:
Utility companies, including internet and phone providers
Newspapers and magazine subscription services
Your employer
Your health insurance company
Your life insurance provider
The schools you attended, alumni associations
Other insurance policies (car, renters, catastrophic, etc.)
Your children’s schools
Financial institutions
Credit card companies
Medical professionals
Pet-related contacts (groomers, vets, kennels)
There are many things you could put on this list-for instance, think about all the people who send you holiday cards-but if you focus on the organizations that will be sending sensitive private information in the mail, you will end up doing a lot to protect yourself.
Another major rule of thumb, carry your personally identifiable information with you during the move-keep it all in one box that travels together with you.
At the end of the day, we’re all susceptible to the threat of identity-related crime, but there are actually steps you can take to reduce your attackable surface, and moving day is definitely one of those times when it expands drastically. If you have any other suggestions we would love to hear form you. Simply click here to send us your suggestions.