Something you might not have thought about during all the moving chaos is the risk of theft. With so much time spent planning, hiring movers, packing up your things and even celebrating with friends, it’s easy to forget that theft can actually happen on moving day.
That’s because you’re likely more distracted than usual and some people might try to take advantage of that. Here are a few tips to help you stay alert and avoid any theft on moving day.
Handling so Many People Coming and Going
One of the hardest parts of moving day is keeping track of everyone who’s coming and going from your home. With friends, family, movers, your landlord, maybe even the cable guy showing up, it’s easy to lose track. A thief could slip in, act like they belong and walk out with something valuable without anyone noticing.
A good way to avoid this problem is to choose one room in both your old and new house that only your family can access. Keep your valuable items in there and make sure the room can be locked. If possible, pick a room without windows and only let trusted family members enter. This is a smart way to keep things like jewelry, cash, family keepsakes and photos safe from theft.
What Gets Stolen Most Often on Moving Day
You might be surprised but prescription medicine and designer items—like perfumes—are the things most often stolen during a move. It may seem odd but thieves target toiletry bags because these items are small and easy to sell quickly.
Avoid packing important toiletries—especially ones that are hard to replace—in your usual toiletry bag or box. Instead, use a small suitcase that’s easy to spot and keep with you. It’ll give you peace of mind knowing your medications and valuable items are in a bag that’s less likely to catch a thief’s eye.
Protecting your Personal Documents
During your move, you’ve probably collected all your important and private paperwork—and you’ll have it with you on moving day. You definitely don’t want that falling into the wrong hands, as someone could try to sell your personal info for a lot of money.
To keep them safe, carry these papers with you at all times. This includes things like bank records, investment info, social security numbers and birth certificates. You can also store them in your locked, secure room.
Have Extra Help Watching Your Stuff
Finally, it’s a good idea to have more people keeping an eye on your belongings. Hiring a trusted moving company can give you peace of mind, knowing their team is there to help watch over your things throughout the move.
Having your friends and family around can really help too. With more people watching, it’s easier to make sure every box gets loaded onto the truck and then unloaded at your new place. You don’t have to keep track of it all on your own.
Theft on moving day doesn’t happen often but when it does, these are usually the main issues. To stay safe, protect your identity, valuable items and things that are hard to replace by following these simple tips before your move.
