5 Information Security Tips for Your Upcoming Move
You may be more likely to encounter fraud if you engage in certain activities in your daily life. Unfortunately, relocating to a new place can be one of those activities if you aren't careful.
You’re transferring a lot of your personal information between services and providing private records. Be vigilant, so your sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Follow these tips to increase your information security during and after your residential move.
1. Add Two-Factor Authentication
Many of your accounts may already use two-factor authentication. You go to log in, and the site or app sends a security code to your phone and email. This process helps to ensure that you’re the one viewing the information.
If you’re not using two-factor authentication for your financial accounts, utilities, or other services, now is the time to consider adding it.
It takes a little more time. You’ll also need to have that phone or email handy. But the investment is worth it to keep scammers from getting hold of your data.
2. Follow Instructions From Trusted Sources
Buying a home or getting a new lease often involves a significant payment. So you want to ensure that you send it to the right place.
Real estate experts say that wire fraud is more common than you think. First, a scammer tells buyers to change their account for the wire transfer. Then, before they realize what happened, the money is gone.
Be wary of phone calls from real estate professionals or financial institutions telling you that you need to do something different. Instead, follow up with the relevant party directly.
3. Use Secure File-Sharing Options
Finding new housing usually involves sensitive information, like your Social Security number. So any documents that have this information need encryption.
Some email services automatically encrypt the files you attach, but it’s better to be sure. Ask for a secure method to share files. If a company asks you to upload documents to its website, find out about its security first.
4. Contact Your Financial Institution
By now, you’re probably familiar with spam texts about the status of a package or a canceled transaction. So naturally, the person sending it hopes that at least a couple of people will take the bait.
Banking professionals say that these phishing scams are common. You might receive them through a text or a phone call.
Remember that financial institutions or the IRS never ask for your bank account or password over the phone. When in doubt, call or visit them directly to get more information.
5. Ask Contractors for Credentials
Depending on the projects you have in mind, you may have several contractors coming in and out of your home during the first few weeks. You must ensure that everyone who shows up is there for the right reasons.
It’s not uncommon for someone to show up and claim to be a contractor trying to sell services. They may even say they are from a local utility, and need to test your lines.
Ask each one for credentials. Then, call the company directly to verify if they’re unwilling to explain themselves or justify their presence.
Keeping your information safe is something that you need to do all the time. Moving can complicate it. For more information about how you can have a safe move, contact us today!