Landlords Can Be ID Fraud Victims
There was an excellent programme on BBC1 about ID fraud last night.
What it did not say is that landlords are particularly at risk if they fail to ensure that all utility bills and other personal correspondence are always re-directed to their own homes from any accommodation they let out.
Documents like utility bills and bank statements can be used by an ID thief to set up an account in your name and destroy your credit rating or to steal money direct from your account.
Houses that have been converted into flats are a really big problem because they usually don't have secure post boxes for residents.
All too often post in these types of properties is left in the hallway for anyone to pick up.
Often the flats will be rented out and there is a rapid turn over of tenants and other occupiers, thus increasing the risk.
As well as being at risk from other existing flat occupiers, any former occupier can easily copy the front door key (or not return it when they leave) then get in and steal post.
What it did not say is that landlords are particularly at risk if they fail to ensure that all utility bills and other personal correspondence are always re-directed to their own homes from any accommodation they let out.
Documents like utility bills and bank statements can be used by an ID thief to set up an account in your name and destroy your credit rating or to steal money direct from your account.
Houses that have been converted into flats are a really big problem because they usually don't have secure post boxes for residents.
All too often post in these types of properties is left in the hallway for anyone to pick up.
Often the flats will be rented out and there is a rapid turn over of tenants and other occupiers, thus increasing the risk.
As well as being at risk from other existing flat occupiers, any former occupier can easily copy the front door key (or not return it when they leave) then get in and steal post.
This entry was posted by lettingfocus, on
Thursday, February 01, 2007.
