Home buying: Hubs and I have been through the process three times since our marriage. Statistically this won’t be the last home we live in, but we often joke that we’re content to die here. Why? The home buying process! If you’ve ever been through it then you know how we feel and why we’re reluctant to ever leave here. Moving is stressful enough, but adding home ownership into the mix (especially if you are selling your previous home) exacerbates the hassle.
With all the juggling involved in the purchase of a home and a move, identity theft is probably the last thing you want to worry about during the transition. LifeLock is here to help. Check out some of their safety tips for home owners and those who have recently moved to a new area.
Avoid paying home bills over the phone – If you’re not out of earshot, an identity thief can easily write down the account information you’re dictating to your account representative. This could be even friends or family members, which is called family friendly fraud.
Don’t put your full birth date on Facebook – If someone gets your name and Social Security number, the last thing they need to steal your identity is your birth date. If you post it on Facebook, you’ve done a third of the work for them.
Use caution when providing information to new health care providers – Before providing any personal information like your Social Security number, ask why it is needed. Often at doctors’ offices they can get your Social Security number through your insurance company so they don’t need to ask for it on a form. Try not to write down your Social Security number on a form, because you never know where they store it and who has access to it.
Never email updated personal information to the IRS – T he IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers via e-mail, text message or social media channels. Whoever is emailing you is posing as the IRS and looking to steal your identity using whatever personal information you may provide.
Check out the LifeLock Game on Facebook to discover even more tips for protecting your identity during your transition to a new home.
Disclosure: I am I Lifelock ambassador. While compensation was received, all opinions presented in this post are my own.
It is so sad that we have so much identity theft now, but it is something we all need to be thoughtful an proactive about.
All great tips. I am still in the first house that I bought (with my ex husband) and I will be here until my boys graduate high school – then we’re moving south.
SOUTH south? So you’re immigrating.
You can popularize the phrase “wicked awesome, ya’ll!”
I never fill out my SS number when I go to the doctor. I just leave that blank.
Thanks for the info! We are currently in the market for a new home so we have to go through this process all over again.
I hate giving out my SS #.
Great tips! We are on our second home buying and will do it one last time which will be the home we die in. I pay many bills over the phone, oops I should probably stop that!
I try not to be paranoid, but I am really afraid of identity theft. Thanks for the tips!
Most doctor’s office do not need your social unless it’s your id number and that doesn’t happen much anymore.
These are great tips, everyone is always asking for a ss# even though they don’t need it.
Great tips! I agree with the other comments about SS #…too many places ask for it, and I always ask them why they need it, …and usually dont give it to them..
I am going to be in this house for quite awhile, but the tips are great.
Good tips – even when you’re not buying a home. Dr’s offices do not need your SSN. FB does not need your info (try not to share too much there)
Oh man do I hate the home buying process. We’ve been thinking about getting a bigger house but we don’t want to actually move!
Good to know!
Wonderful tips!
We’re in the process of selling our home and searching for the new one and I am already ready to be done. Great tips!
Great tips. I doubt we’ll ever be able to become home owners living here in the SF Bay Area.
These are great tips.
Excellent tips – we’re actually looking to buy soon and we’re already with life lock