Update Your Address
One thing you may not have considered about having your mail forwarded is security; especially identity theft. You are on the internet, so we would bet you have an active antivirus. When you use your debit card or credit card to get money from an ATM you have a pin number, right?! You also have passwords for each of your email accounts and potentially to use your desktop or laptop.
But what are you doing to protect the mail delivered to your home?
Mailbox Security Options
While some opt for secure alternatives like P.O. Boxes or locked mailboxes at their homes, many still rely on traditional mailboxes placed by the road or mounted on their homes. This common setup can leave your sensitive mail vulnerable to theft and misuse. Add to that the risk of mail being delivered to your old address.
Mail Theft and Identity Risk
According to The United States Department of Justice, “If your mail is delivered to a place where others have ready access to it, criminals may simply intercept and redirect your mail to another location.” If you fail to contact each of the companies you receive mail from or fill out the proper paperwork to have your mail forwarded to your new address, you risk your mail falling into the wrong hands. The Federal Trade Commission offers additional information to help “deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.”
Fill out the forms and contact the proper individuals. Do your part with the mail; we will take care of ours for your move.
Essential Moving Checklist
To protect yourself during your move:
- Complete change of address forms with the postal service. Add to that notifying your employer and updating your W-2 information.
- Contact companies directly to update your mailing address. Add to that updating your voter registration and vehicle registration.
- Consider upgrading to more secure mail delivery options. Add to that requesting signature confirmation for important deliveries.
Additional Protection Measures
The Federal Trade Commission provides comprehensive resources to help you protect against identity theft through their “deter, detect, and defend” approach. Add to that regularly monitoring your credit reports for suspicious activity.
Secure Your Move
Take control of your mail security during your move – handle your address updates properly, and we’ll take care of making your move smooth and secure. Add to that peace of mind knowing your personal information is protected.
