Changing your address is an important to-do item when moving to a new house. It can protect you from identity theft by making sure your mail and packages are delivered to the right place.
Typically, you can update your address instantly online with many companies, such as banks and credit card companies. Others, however, require you to call them or visit their offices.
Banks
As anyone who has moved knows, keeping your address up to date is important. You want your mail to go to the right place, and it can help prevent identity theft. It’s also necessary for some financial documents. Changing your address with banks is easy, but there are some things you need to consider before doing so.
You can usually change your address in person at a bank branch or by using their website or app. You may need to provide proof of your new address, such as an electricity bill or government ID card. It is helpful to bring a pen so that you can write clearly.
Some banks allow you to update the billing address for each account, while others do not. In such cases, you’ll need to do a separate address change for each one of your credit cards or accounts. For example, Regions online banking allows you to select which accounts you want to be forwarded and then enter your new address. You can also visit a regional branch to update your address, if you prefer.
Credit Card Companies
Your credit card issuer needs your billing address to send you important documents related to your account, and to help prevent identity theft and other types of fraud. A credit card company also checks your billing address when you make a purchase to verify that the address entered matches the address on file for your account.
To change your credit card company’s address, log in to the website or mobile app associated with your account. Then, visit the account options or settings section to change your address. You can also try calling customer service and asking them to update your address.
You can also check your billing address on the back of the payment coupon that comes with your monthly statement. Some credit card companies will update your address via mail if you write the new address on the back of the coupon and send it in along with your monthly payment. You can also go in person to a branch location near you and speak with an employee about changing your address. Address changes reported to the credit bureaus by your creditors do not affect your Experian Credit Report.
Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may require proof of your new address before granting you an updated policy. Depending on the company, this could be done online, by phone or through a smartphone application. You may also need to provide proof of your new address in the form of a utility bill, lease agreement or mortgage statement.
Insurance policies, such as auto, homeowners and professional liability, should all have the correct address on file. This is important at claim time and may affect premiums. Whether you run your business out of the home or own multiple commercial vehicles, it is important to update all addresses on policies to prevent any miscommunications or fraud.
Providing false information about your address is considered fraud and can result in penalties. It is easy to accidentally forget to change your address when moving within the same city or town, but if you purposely lie to your provider, it can cause serious problems. You might be dropped from your policy, or in some cases, you can even face criminal charges. The best way to avoid these risks is to be honest with your insurance providers.
Health Care Providers
Health care providers include doctors, dentists, pharmacies and any other licensed health care professional or health clinic. These individuals are required to keep current addresses on file, so that they can ensure you receive your medical services at a location that is convenient to you. When you contact a health care provider, the representative can use your address to see which doctors are located nearby and can provide you with a referral. Depending on the nature of your visit, these professionals may also require your medical records to be kept up-to-date.
Other Organizations
It’s not just financial institutions that need to know your new address. You’ll also want to let your insurance companies, doctors, dentists and other service providers know that you’ve moved. This will help to prevent mail theft and ensure that you’re getting the services you need.
For your mail, you’ll need to file a Change of Address (COA). You can do this online or in person at the post office. You’ll need your name, birth date, gender and phone number for the form. You can choose from a permanent COA or a temporary one. The latter is good for those who aren’t returning to their old homes, such as traveling workers or college students going home for the summer.
Other organizations you may need to notify include magazines and catalogs you subscribe to, delivery box services like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh, and your car registration. If you’re a business owner, you should update your address on local directory listings and your website as well. You’ll also need to update the IRS if you’re an exempt organization. You can do this by filing Form 8822-B or calling the customer service center.