FREE, WHAT NEXT?

 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

If you read nothing else, read this. Did you know, that when you file a change of address with many financial institutions, they will automatically send a confirmation of your new address to your old address? If you are living with him/her (and I am assuming you are), this will tell him/her exactly where you have gone! Even worse, many of the employees of these companies do not even know that their computer automatically generates these letters and sends them out. What can you do? Get an alternate address right now, use your work address, a friend or relatives address or get a post office box and use it for anything that will be moving with you. Why take the chance? Use this address when opening new bank accounts in your own name, applying for credit cards, jobs, whatever.

 

When you do eventually move, simply file a change of address with the post office from your 'alternate' address to your new home. If you file a change of address with the post office  from the home you share with the abuser, there is always the possibility he could go to the post office and ask if any mail has been forward and find out where you are. Don't take the chance, this is easily avoided by getting an alternate address NOW.

 

If you live in California you're in luck! Check out the Safe At Home program. This is a no-cost mail forwarding service designed to help victims of domestic violence and stalking keep their new addresses confidential.

 

SOCIAL SECURITY 

If you feel the abuser may try to use your social security number to track you down or to abuse your credit, you can have it changed. The Social Security Administration Domestic Violence page (www.ssa.gov/pubs/10093.html) offers new social security numbers to victims of domestic abuse, on request. For information on benefits, medicare and all other social security questions, go to their main site at www.ssa.gov(Tel 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778) 

 

GET A BANK ACCOUNT

Your going to need one of these! In your own name too.  Remember that alternate address we talked about? Use that when opening your new bank account.  When choosing a bank account, make sure they have branches in the area you plan on moving too; it's no good getting an account at your local credit union in Ohio and then moving to New York! Do your homework, make inquiries, call banks or credit unions and ask questions.

 

GET CREDIT IN YOUR OWN NAME

There are two ways you can do this, you can put away $200 in a savings account which you can't touch (yet) and get a credit card with a $200 credit limit or you can get a friend or relative to co-sign for you. Please, please, please be financially responsible. In order to get a good credit rating, you must use the card and pay it off in the same month, after about three months, it will start reporting to one or all of the credit bureaus. Now you can go to your favorite store and get a store card. The aim here is to build about three good (always paid on time) lines of credit.

 

PROTECT YOUR NEW ACCOUNTS

When you call up a financial institution, or anyone you hold an account with (telephone company, utilities etc) you are asked for your social security number and maybe your mothers maiden name for security identification.  He has that information doesn't he? So protect your new