Making sure your personal information moves with you
Moving house can be very stressful, and redirecting your personal mail and bills maybe the last thing on your mind. However, redirecting your mail and informing your bank, credit- and storecard companies and utility providers of your new address is crucial to safeguard your personal information – failing to do it could leave you open to identity theft.
Top tip
Here is a list of the organisations you should give your new address to:
- banks and building societies
- credit- and store-card providers
- local council (for council tax and housing benefits)
- Department for Work and Pensions (for state benefit payment)
- DVLA (for vehicle registration and driving licence)
- gas, electric, phone and internet service providers
- TV Licensing
- doctor and dentist
- sports clubs
- loyalty card schemes
- optician
- any mail-order catalogues and magazine subscriptions.
Redirecting your mail
To redirect your mail, contact Royal Mail and they will help to ensure that when you move house, your mail moves with you. For a fee, Royal Mail can redirect your mail from any UK address to any other UK or overseas address, including British Forces and PO Box addresses. You can arrange to have your mail redirected for one to 12 months.
For more information on how to redirect your mail:
visit www.royalmail.co.uk;
pick up a ‘Moving home?’ redirection application form at your nearest Post Office; or
phone 08457 740 740.
Royal Mail can also help if you think your post is being stolen. They will be able to check whether a mail-redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge.
Once you’ve moved
Once you have settled into your new home, you should consider checking that your personal information is still secure by getting a copy of your credit file two to three months after you move.
You can also register your new address and phone number with the Mailing Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service; this will help to reduce the amount of unwanted marketing you get. We give details on how to do this elsewhere in this leaflet.
Who do I contact if I have difficulty with my post?
You should report the theft and loss of any post to: Royal Mail 08457 740 740
Specialist tools
You will find more detailed information and factsheets entitled ‘It’s your information’ on our website www.ico.gov.uk.