Keep personal information safe during your relocation
While it is important to have easy access to pertinent documents and information when relocating, there are certain precautionary measures that consumers need to take in order to reduce the risk of having their personal, private data fall into the wrong hands.
The last thing that someone needs while they are in the throes of a move is to have their identity stolen or have a family heirloom go missing.
As such, Patricia Pollard, executive director of relocation client relations at BHGRE Gary Greene said that she and her agents offer advice to their relocation clients to help them secure their personal belongings and information before, during and after the move.
She said it begins with a very simple recommendation, which is for home sellers to depersonalize their home before it goes on the market.
“We tell our relocation sellers that they should remove any items that could give any insight into their personal lives, such as certificates, diplomas, rewards and personal photographs that might be hung on the walls,” Pollard said.
She said, “Then we recommend that other items, such as prescription medications, jewelry and other high-value specialty items or collections be secured in either a safe-deposit box, or in a locked drawer or cabinet at all times when the house is being shown.”
“If the seller has any insurance riders for things such as jewelry, collectibles, antiques or anything similar, I would suggest they let their insurance company know that they are planning a move, and make sure that everything is up to date with their policy,” Pollard said.
It is also important that items such as credit cards, checkbooks, Social Security cards, and financial statements be securely stored away and out of view. The same is true for any unopened mail and personal information.
For properties that have an alarm system, Pollard said that it is suggested the home seller set up a temporary or separate alarm code and password that can be used by the agents when showing the home to prospective buyers.
She said that this generally gives home sellers a better peace of mind about who has been in and out of their home.
“It is important to remind all the agents who show
the home to their clients to make sure that it is fully secured after each showing. So, home sellers need to be sure that they leave detailed instructions about securing the property,” Pollard said.
Computers, smartphones, tablets and all other digital data also need to be secured.
“All computers should be locked and password protected,” Pollard said. “If people have electronic files that they have stored on disks and on portable hard drives, then those items also need to be securely stored and protected. This is important while the home is being shown, as well as when the movers arrive to pack up.”
She also said that when moving, people need to be especially careful about with whom they are sharing their financial and personal documents, and make sure that they know what the purpose is when they do provide that information. She said that Social Security numbers should never be emailed, or photographed and transmitted electronically.
“When relocating, people should be guarded in their conversations with anyone other than their lender or financial institu- tion when it comes to discussing their loan amount, down payment and where that down payment is coming, because that information really isn’t anybody’s business,” Pollard said.
Another suggestion Pollard offered is for people who might have a great deal of critical paper data that they need to protect and secure while the home is on the market, as well as when their belongings are in transit to their new location.
She said that there are companies that specialize in the secure document transportation process.
Finally, once people have relocated and settled, Pollard said it is often a good idea for them to obtain a free copy of their credit report, and make sure that there hasn’t been any unusual or suspicious activity.
For more information, visit www.protectyourmove.gov.