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Layouts should feel like a new beginning. A smaller home, less maintenance, and even a retirement community with new friends. In fact, it’s not just 3 million Americans move each year. Are you considering reducing the size?
A woman told the Internet that she would move her mother into an auxiliary residence. Even before the box was packed with boxes, her mother fell down two back-to-back scams. Bad luck; the scammer picked it up on her address and slammed it.
This is not uncommon. Researchers found that more than 70% Cybercrime Track back to exposed personal data. Mobile creates one of the biggest exposures of all. Real estate listings, moving companies and solution changes are snapped up by data brokers and posted online, which is an ideal setting for criminals to strike.
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Delete data to protect your retirement from scammers
Pods move trucks and employees outside their Queens residence in New York. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images via Get Image Group)
How mobile puts your personal data at risk
When you buy, sell or even just change the address, your information will be spread across multiple systems:
- Real estate records (Open by default)
- Utilities Company Log
- Postal forwarding data
- Transaction history and home value.
The data broker shoveled all of this. Then they tie it up, resell it, and suddenly your new life stage is an open secret. This is exactly what the scammers need.
10 logos Your personal data is being sold online
Cybercriminals explore multiple databases to get information about the movement. (iStock)
Common scams targeting you when laying off employees
This is why moving makes seniors a hot target:
- Identity theft: Pair your new address with your date of birth (easy to find online) and thieves can open an account in your name.
- Cash-rich scam: Selling a home can make you look as if you are sitting on cash. The fraudster knows this.
- Phishing Tips: The fake “Utilities Settings” call requires your social security number.
- Harassment: New addresses posted online may attract unnecessary attention.
Think of it this way: When you are busy unpacking the box, criminals are unpacking your data.
How to hand over data privacy responsibilities for older people to a trusted relative
Deleting data can protect you from online scams. (Kurt “CyberKnutsson)
How to protect your personal data while moving
It also creates new risks when mobile creates new opportunities. These simple steps will help you lock your personal data before the scammer takes advantage of it.
1) Delete your information from the data brokerage website
When moving, the data broker will automatically update your files. This means that your new address, phone number and even property transaction details can be accessed almost overnight on people’s search sites. Once your profile appears there, the scammer can easily buy or scratch.
Good news: You don’t have to chase every agent yourself. The Personal Data Deletion Service does your leg work for you, contact your data broker, request deletion and follow-up to make sure your new details are not re-introduced. Think of it as hiring a mobile company to obtain your personal data.
While there is no service that guarantees complete deletion of data from the Internet, a data deletion service is indeed a wise choice. They are not cheap, nor are your privacy. These services provide you with all your work by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is where I feel at ease and proves to be the most effective way to delete your personal data from the internet. By limiting the available information, you can reduce the risk of cross-references of data from fraudsters in violations and find information on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my preferred data deletion service and scan it for free to see if your personal information is already accessible on the internet Cyberguy.com.
Do a free scan to find out if your personal information is already on the Internet: Cyberguy.com.
2) Only use the official USPS form
When changing the address, always use the official USPS website or your local post office. Some third-party sites look like they offer convenient services, but they often collect additional data about you and sometimes even resell it. Direct access to the source means your sensitive details are not unnecessary.
3) Watch real estate disclosures
When you sell a home, it’s not just the publication price. Your name, past address and even photos of your home can be part of a public record. Ask your real estate agent what automatically discloses and whether it can be restricted or edited. It’s worth picking here: the fewer personal footprints associated with your property, the better.
4) Chopped old paperwork
Move is the perfect excuse for clearing. But don’t just throw away old bills, medical statements or financial records; chop them up. The diving of the trash bin on personal data may sound outdated, but it is still the method used by scammers. A good shredder ensures that your sensitive history is not stuck in the wrong hands.
5) Share moving news privately
It’s easy to post “Goodbye, Old House!” online photos, but you can resist this urge. Publicly announcing a move will tell scammers when your home is empty and what your new address may be. Instead, share news directly with family and close friends. Less online buzz means more security offline.
6) Freeze your credit before and after the move
One powerful way to keep the scammers ahead is to freeze your credibility. Freezing will prevent new credit accounts from opening in your name, even if the criminal has your address or other details. The good news is that you can do this for free through all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.
It only takes a few minutes online or over the phone, and can be unfreezed at any time if you need to apply for a loan or credit card. By freezing credit before and after relocation, you can create a powerful barrier to prevent thieves from turning stolen data into financial losses.
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Kurt’s key points
Move should feel like a new starting point, rather than an invitation to get the liar to strike. With some wise steps, you can be ahead of data brokers and fraudsters. From chopping documents to freezing your credit, each action adds a layer of protection. By protecting information before and after the move, you can rest assured and start the next chapter with a solid standpoint. This work is small compared to the security it brings.
Should more things be done to prevent companies from exposing and selling our personal data? By writing to us, let us know Cyberguy.com.
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