Your Confidential Information Could be at Risk

It’s estimated that more than 60% of moves happen during the summer months—it’s the ideal time for families especially since kids are out of school. If you’re in the process or are getting ready to move, it’s important to protect your confidential information and your families’ as well. No matter how organized and prepared you are, there are always things you don’t think of or don’t remember and this is where a lot of people put their personal information at risk and fall victim to ID theft. Take a look:

Leaving Behind Items that Contain Personal Information

After boxing up every room in your house, be sure to check your attic, garage and any closets that aren’t used as often—these are where many people leave boxes, files or other personal items that they haven’t thought about or looked at in years. Common paperwork left behind, like old utilities bills, credit card statements, insurance papers, bank statements, even personal mail can provide just enough information for a crook to steal your ID. If you do find items it’s best to scan anything you want to keep and shred the rest.

Throwing Away or Recycling Old Papers, Mail & Documents

It’s usually obvious when someone is moving and believe it or not, dumpster divers are always on the lookout for signs. Throwing away or recycling your old or unneeded papers, documents and mail may be the easy way to get rid of these items, but it’s also an invitation to the unscrupulous who are waiting and ready to dig through your trash and recycling bins. Before moving, go through all your paperwork and old mail and shred everything you don’t need—it’s the most secure way to ensure it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.

Not Being Onsite When Movers Take Boxes

If you’ve hired a moving company it’s important to make sure that you are present when they load your boxes onto the truck and when they take them off. It goes without saying that you’ve already done your homework and researched reviews and credentials of your moving company. But it’s also important to ensure that all of your personal belongings get on the truck and arrive untouched, unopened at your new home. A missing box is often the one that contains birth certificates, bank and credit card information, etc. Always make sure that you or someone from your family is witnessing the load and unload.

Moving is stressful and can only become even more so if you end up being the victim of ID theft. The crooks who commit these types of crimes are clever and know just what to look for to carry out their plan, so stay one step ahead of them by following these tips.

All Points Mobile Shredding is a local, family-owned and operated company that provides shredding and destruction to residential and business customers throughout South Florida.  Give us a call today or fill out this form to learn more about how we can help you protect your identity.