Losing a loved one is an emotional and stressful experience, and clearing their home can be a difficult task. However, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of using an illegitimate house clearance company to avoid potential identity theft issues. Not only can they fly-tip personal paperwork, but they could also sell it to criminal gangs, leading to devastating consequences for the family in mourning.
Identity theft is a serious problem in the UK, with around 190,000 cases reported in 2020 alone. The scammers behind identity theft can use personal information to access bank accounts, apply for credit cards or loans, and even steal someone’s identity for criminal activities.
What is an illegitimate house clearance company?
An illegitimate house clearance company is one that operates outside of the law and may use unlicensed individuals to carry out the clearance. They may engage in illegal fly-tipping, steal personal items, and sell personal information to criminal gangs.
How can an illegitimate house clearance company lead to identity theft?
During the process of clearing a deceased loved one’s home, personal paperwork such as bank statements, credit card statements, and passports may be found. This paperwork can contain personal information that scammers can use to commit identity theft. An illegitimate house clearance company may fly-tip the personal paperwork or sell it to criminal gangs, leading to devastating consequences for the family in mourning.
What are the consequences of identity theft?
Identity theft can lead to significant financial loss, with scammers taking out loans and credit cards in the victim’s name, leaving the victim or victim’s family with the debt. It can also cause emotional distress and damage to credit ratings of a family name, making it difficult to obtain credit or loans in the future. Victims may also have to spend a significant amount of time and money to repair the damage done by the scammers.
How can you protect yourself from identity theft during a house clearance?
It’s important to use a legitimate house clearance company that is a member of a reputable association such as AFTA (Anti Fly-tipping Association) to mitigate the risk of identity theft. A reputable company will follow strict guidelines for clearing a property, ensuring that all personal paperwork is securely disposed of and not used for fraudulent activities.
You can also protect yourself by taking steps such as shredding personal paperwork before disposing of it, monitoring loved one’s bank and credit card statements regularly, and checking credit reports for any unusual activity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using an illegitimate house clearance company to clear a deceased loved one’s home can lead to devastating consequences, including identity theft. It’s essential to use a legitimate house clearance company that follows strict guidelines for clearing a property and securely disposes of personal paperwork. Identity theft is a serious problem in the UK, and victims can suffer significant financial and emotional consequences. By taking steps to protect yourself, you can avoid the heartbreak and unnecessary consequences that identity theft can bring to a family in mourning.