It’s Personal – Protecting Your Documents when Moving to a New House
As if you didn’t have enough to worry about when it comes to moving day, with 25,000 victims in 2016, identity fraud is today at record-breaking levels. Personal documents that are thrown out, left behind or lost along the way will prove to be rich pickings for those attempting to assume your identity. Here’s how to protect yourself, and your finances.
1. Pick Through Every, Single, Document
Don’t delay your paperwork admin, leaving it to the last minute will only add to your long list of urgent moving day ‘To Dos’. Go through all of your admin, shredding anything that is no longer needed, and filing anything else away in a lockable file box.
Whilst you’re at it, you may also want to review any insurance documents, to ensure that your personal belongings are covered for the big day, as well as making a list of those you need to notify about your move.
2. Get on Top of your Filing Organisation
There are many (many) documents that you may require in the countdown to your move and in the first few months in your new home. The following documents should be placed into their own section in your filing system, clearly labelled and located at the front for easy access.
Personal Documents
- Visas (if you’re moving abroad)
- Children’s school/medical records
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Immigration documents
- Marriage certificates
- Diplomas and proof of academic/professional qualifications
- Passports
- Medical records
Housing Documents
- Property deeds
- Utility bills
- Council tax bills
- Tenancy agreements
- Mortgage documents
Moving Documents
- Additional agreements
- Home inventory
- Removals moving contract
- Receipts
Don’t Forget About Your Online Information
You may be using a number of online platforms to manage your move – from your online banking, to legal conveyancing systems. If you’re buying a house, you’re particularly vulnerable during this time to fraud, making protecting your passwords (and using strong passwords in the first instance) all the more important.
Be Aware: A growing form of homebuyer fraud involves intercepted email, where homebuyers are tricked into sending their deposit to fraudsters who masquerade as their conveyancers. In one example, Charity Worker Howard Mollett lost his life-savings, all £67,000, as the criminals had emailed him to provide their banking details to place the deposit into.
Last but Not Least – Redirect your Mail
No matter how organised you’ve been, and even if you’ve followed our guide: The Big Move: How to Let the World Know, there may be companies and people that you haven’t told about your move.
A mail redirect can ensure that all of your mail reaches you in the immediate months after the move, and you can then get in touch with them as and when the forwarded mail arrives.
Want to know that your personal documents are in safe hands when making the move? Trust no one less than a trusted team with a track record that dates back more than two decades. 07931 849 112 | 01904 375 995 | Get your removals quote online | admin@vanmanyork.co.uk
