iammoving.com and helpiammoving.com urge vigilance to prevent theft at moving time

OCTOBER 2007 – Two of the UK’s leading home moving resources are warning home movers to be vigilant to prevent theft, fraud and burglaries, following results of an online survey. The advice comes from iammoving.com, the UK’s only online change of address service, and helpiammoving.com, an independent on-line directory of UK removal, storage and moving house companies.

When questioned, one in five of respondents to the iammoving.com survey stated that they had been burgled during the month previous to or following their move.

Simon Preston, chairman of iammoving.com explains, “During a home-move, residents become vulnerable for a number of reasons. While visible packed belongings indicate that someone is on the move, the presence of additional tradespeople, estate agents and other professionals can mean that there are unfamiliar faces around the house. We urge movers to be vigilant and aware of their vulnerabilities.”

Andrew Scholey, founder of helpiammoving.com, further urges, “In addition to protecting physical possessions, home-movers should also be mindful of their personal details. Making sure that personal documents are secure and any waste paper shredded will go some way to ensuring that neither your belongings nor your identity are stolen.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

The companies offer the following advice on how to keep belongings and property safe during a move:

1) Be mindful of who is in and out of your house. You are likely to have many tradespeople, estate agents and other professionals in and out of your house before moving day. Make sure they are trustworthy and don’t leave doors open for people to come and go.
2) Take care with keys. Organise appointments with anyone who needs access to your house and don’t give out extra keys unless absolutely necessary. In the event you decide to give someone a key, keep track of who has it and get it back when their work is completed. Make sure no one puts your name or address on your keys.
3) Ensure that your movers are credible. Your movers will be inside your old and new home and will have access to some of your most precious belongings. Get references or recommendations. If you don’t already have a trusted mover, use a credible website like www.helpiammoving.com to find a reliable mover.
4) Change all your locks as soon as you move in. You don’t know who had spare keys to your new home before you moved in.
5) Be careful when you weed out your files and old paperwork. Don’t be tempted to toss all your old papers in the bin. Shred ANY documents that contain personal information. The shredded paper will make great packing materials. For more clever tips on packing go to http://www.helpiammoving.co.uk/moving_house/moving_cartons.php.
6) Make sure your mail follows you to your new home. 93% of people receive mail addressed to previous occupants of their home* – this includes utility bills, credit card statements and bank statements. Make sure you update your address with everyone who sends you mail. Go to www.iammoving.com to tell all the companies and organisations you choose.

*Results of an online survey by www.iammoving.com

About iammoving.com
iammoving.com is a free, online change of address service that enables home movers to quickly send their new address to all the organisations with whom they want to stay in touch – these include organisations in more than 30 categories including mobile phone companies like Vodafone, loyalty cards such as Boots, all utilities, charitable organisations, university alumni offices, TV Licensing, DVLA, Passport Office, banks, building societies, and all local councils. iammoving.com sends more than 50,000 notifications to more than 1,500 organisations on behalf of its users every month.

In addition, iammoving.com provides independent advice on tariffs from the most comprehensive list of suppliers of gas, electricity, broadband, telecoms and pay TV to ensure movers get the best rates and most suitable providers possible for their new home. iammoving.com, the only online address change service in the UK, works in partnership with the Royal Mail.

For further information and interviews, contact:
Helen Stevens/ Bethan Wadeson
iammoving@berkeleypr.co.uk
T. 01454 203595