I am about to move and have been receiving applications for credit cards and am afraid that the new person moving into my old place might be able to fill these out and use my credit (which is finally good) to do damage. What, if anything can I do to prevent this from happening???
Thanks
2007-06-21 11:03:34 · 6 answers · asked by sunluvr_1976 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Excellent question! Stolen mail is the #1 source of information for identity fraud. Two significant things to do:
1. The second best practical thing you can do is set up mail forwarding with the postal service as early as possible, so it is in effect when you move. Also, be aware of how long the forwarding will take effect (usually only a few weeks). When that time frame is about to expire, resubmit a request to have your mail forwarded to you again - they will then start a new request that will last as long as the first.
2. The best practical thing you can do is contact ALL of your financial companies (bank accounts, credit cards, bills, investment accounts, etc.), and make sure they have your new address before you move so the new address is in place when you move. This is HUGE because the credit companies will get your new address sooner, and thus someone applying for a new card at your old address will raise a flag. Also, when your address is changed with all your creditors, the new credit offers will go to your new address instead of the old one.
Finally, add to the practical things prayer - pray that the people that replace you are good honest people that would not be tempted to rip you off!
2007-06-21 11:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by leftlovin_darnright 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The 'opt out prescreen' link below will stop most of the pre-approved offers entirely. Unless they get you SSN from another source, it is unlikely the pre-approved offers have enough information to steal your identity. If you fill a change of address with the Post Office, they will forward mail for 12 months. You can also purchase Identity Theft protection. Zander Insurance has a plan that does most of the work recovering if you do become a victim.
2007-06-21 13:02:51 · answer #2 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fill out a change of address form at the post office. They only take a couple of days to become effective and will stop anything addressed to you from being delivered to your old address.
Also, you can call the three credit agencies and flag your reports, so they'll require certain information before opening any new accounts.
Finally, Google it to find the no junk mail list, and put yourself on it. You can opt-out of those offers.
2007-06-21 11:31:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just get your mail transferred to your new house. Eventhough it will have the old adress, I think you can still get the mail delivered to your new place. Also after you move, I would check you credit score a little later on down the road to make sure everything is alright. This is just my two cents though.
2007-06-21 11:12:17 · answer #4 · answered by Austin B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everybody has this odd sense that they can protect themselves from identity theft. I am sorry to tell you, but you cannot protect yourself. If you attened school, your social is out there. If you ever went to a doctor, your medical insurance and your social is out there. If you ever got a driver's license, that is out there. There is more than credit theft. You have to have a monitoring service and a restoration service. There is only one company that completely restores you identity if it is stolen!
2007-06-21 16:35:16 · answer #5 · answered by gatorgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question, here are resources on how to keep yourself safe from id theft and
the tell tale signs if you're about to be victim
all d best to the move
2007-06-21 11:09:02 · answer #6 · answered by Tutti F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋