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Home-movers in fraud alert

Jaimie Kanwar

Nearly 2.5million UK home movers are leaving themselves open to identity fraud by failing to protect their personal information when they move home, according to moveme.com...

Identity fraud is on the increase in the UK, with a quarter of the population already having been affected in some way*. Personal information, used to fraudulently spend someone else's money by taking on their identity, can be easily obtained from a wide range of sources from bank statements to utility bills and even mail order catalogues.

It can often take several months for individuals to realise they have been a victim of this fraud, by which time huge debts could already have built up, with the most vulnerable period being the first six months following a move.

Keith McNeilly, co-founder of Moveme.com, said: “With so much to organise when you're moving home, movers are increasingly leaving themselves open to ID fraud. Failure to take the necessary precautions could lead to personal information falling into the wrong hands, particularly for those living in a block of flats, with a communal postal delivery point.

“However, the 40%** of movers currently leaving themselves open to identity fraud could save themselves the cost and trauma of having their identity stolen. Key tasks to keep identities safe include redirecting mail for at least a year after a move, notifying all financial institutions, organisations and authorities and signing onto the electoral register as soon as possible. All too often movers wait until they have moved before carrying out these tasks, when in fact they can and should all be done in advance”.

Top ten tips for avoiding identity fraud 

1.       Redirect all mail for a least a year after you move

2.       Shred financial statements, card receipts and other personal documents before binning them

3.       Enrol on the electoral register before you move

4.       Check your personal credit report regularly, particularly before you move, to check all your bank account details and personal credit information is correct

5.       Notify all banks, the DVLA and other organisations of your change of address immediately

6.       Monitor bills to check they arrive regularly once you have moved house

7.       Do not share personal information unless you are entirely confident you know who you are dealing with

8.       Always check bank statements, and check receipts against your statements carefully. If you find any unfamiliar transactions contact your credit card company or bank immediately

9.       If you live in a block of flats, make sure mail is secure until you collect it, e.g. install a lockable post-box and collect your mail as soon as possible.

10.    Remove your old and new addresses from direct marketing lists