Can Moving Make You Vulnerable to ID Theft?
Some people move frequently, whether for work or other reasons. They may constantly be forced to update all information. This can put them at risk from ID thieves who take advantage of the lag in time while mail and bills catch up.
Favorite Tricks of ID Theives
A favorite trick of ID thieves is going through people’s trash. They hope to strike it lucky and find an unshredded bank statement or a deposit slip or unheeded credit card application. All too often we don’t get out mail reassigned on a later date – and that means we won’t be getting those late notices and other clues that our bills have been hijacked.
If you have a name that has interchangeable first and last names – like George Michael, or Donovan Mitchell – you are at increased risk for identity theft as well. Someone could hijack your info, switch the names and use a defunct address as a mailing address. They can even buffalo credit card companies and other financial contacts by claiming that they are the real you, and any changes attempted to be made to your accounts should be ignored.
Once they have a few pieces of mail, they an put in for a mail redirect to a PO Box or mail drop and divert all of your mail. Eventually a bank statement, check or other personal information could come along, and then they are in possession of even more information.
The best way to avoid becoming a victim of ID theft during a move is to be vigilant when following up on the small stuff. If you are supposed to be receiving a final utility bill and it doesn’t show, call to be sure they didn’t send it to the wrong address. Likewise any other mail that seems to have gone astray.
Mail Fraud
If you are attempting to sell a house, check on it frequently in your absence to ensure it is not being used for fraudulent activity. You are still the owner of record, so you could land in a sticky situation if someone is using the house as a mail drop.
Identity thieves have caught on to using empty houses as temporary mailing addresses, so be alert. You might want to check your old address for mail if it is left vacant for a while – activity from an old address you once lived at can result in a lot of trouble if it gets tied to your name.
As always, watch for unexplained activity on credit reports, cards or bank statements!
