The Military Family's Guide to Protecting Your Identity During PCS and Deployments

Identity Theft Awareness Week runs January 26-30 this year, and if you're a military family, this is the perfect time to take a hard look at how you're protecting your personal information. Here's a stat that might keep you up at night: service members are three times more likely than civilians to have their identities stolen.

Yikes, right?

The thing is, military life comes with a unique set of challenges that make you more vulnerable. PCS moves, deployments, forwarded mail, power of attorney documents flying around, it's a lot. But the good news? A little planning goes a long way, and understanding how notarization fits into all of this can actually be one of your best defenses.

Let's break it down.

Why Military Families Are Prime Targets

It's not that criminals specifically hate military families (though it sure feels like it sometimes). It's more that the military lifestyle creates the perfect storm for identity theft opportunities.

Frequent relocations mean your information is everywhere. Every time you PCS, you're updating your address with banks, credit card companies, the DMV, utility providers, landlords, and about a million other places. Each one of those updates is another chance for your personal details to get intercepted or mishandled.

Deployments make monitoring nearly impossible. When you're stationed overseas or in the field, checking your credit reports and bank statements isn't exactly at the top of your priority list. Criminals know this. They count on the fact that fraudulent activity might go unnoticed for weeks or even months.

Mail forwarding is risky business. All that mail bouncing from your old address to your new one? It's a goldmine for identity thieves who know how to intercept it.

Stress and chaos delay discovery. Let's be real, during a PCS or deployment, you're juggling a thousand things. Noticing a weird charge on your credit card statement or a suspicious account you didn't open? That might not happen until the damage is already done.

How Notarization Protects Your Identity

So where does a notary fit into all of this? Great question.

A notary public is basically your first line of defense against document fraud. When you have a document notarized, the notary verifies your identity before you sign. They're checking your ID, confirming you are who you say you are, and making sure you're signing willingly, not under duress or coercion.

This matters a lot for military families because you deal with so many critical documents:

• Powers of Attorney (POA): These give someone else the authority to act on your behalf while you're deployed. If a criminal gets their hands on a fraudulent POA, they can wreak havoc on your finances, your property, even your military benefits.

• Real estate documents: Buying or selling a home during a PCS? Those documents need proper notarization to be legally valid.

• Vehicle titles and registrations: Transferring ownership of a vehicle? That signature needs to be notarized.

• Military-specific paperwork: From family care plans to deployment documents, many military forms require notarization.

When these documents are properly notarized, there's a verified paper trail. That makes it much harder for someone to forge your signature or commit fraud in your name.

Before Your PCS or Deployment: Your Protection Checklist

Taking some proactive steps before you move or deploy can save you massive headaches down the road. Here's what I recommend:

Set Up Active-Duty Alerts

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and place an active-duty alert on your credit reports. This makes it harder for anyone to open new accounts in your name. For even stronger protection, consider a full credit freeze.

Secure Your Sensitive Documents

Gather up all your important paperwork, birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, financial documents, and store them somewhere secure. If you're leaving them behind, a fireproof safe or a trusted family member's home is a good bet. Shred anything you don't need anymore.

Get Your POA in Order Early

If your spouse will need to handle business while you're deployed, get that Power of Attorney notarized before you leave. Don't wait until the last minute. And make sure you're working with a legitimate notary who properly verifies your identity.

Enroll in Credit Monitoring

Military families can access free credit monitoring from all three credit bureaus with proof of service. Take advantage of this! Also, pull your credit reports before deployment so you have a baseline to compare against later.

Update Your Security Settings

Change your passwords (use strong, unique ones), enable two-factor authentication on your bank accounts and email, and update your contact information everywhere so you'll actually receive fraud alerts.

Register for an IP PIN

The IRS offers an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) that prevents someone from filing a fraudulent tax return in your name. Given how common tax fraud is, this is worth the few minutes it takes to set up.

During Deployment or Relocation: Stay Vigilant

Even while you're in the middle of the chaos, there are things you can do to protect yourself:

• Check your accounts when you can. Even a quick glance at your bank app can catch unauthorized transactions early.

• Be skeptical of anyone asking for personal information. Scammers love to pose as government officials or military benefit providers. If someone calls asking for your Social Security number, hang up and call the official number yourself.

• Watch what you post on social media. Sharing your PCS location or deployment details might seem harmless, but it tells criminals exactly when your home might be empty or when you won't be monitoring your accounts.

• If something feels off, report it. Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov. Notify your commanding officer if you suspect identity theft. Many bases offer free legal support for victims.

After Your Move or Deployment: Follow Up

Once you're settled (or back home), don't just assume everything is fine. Take these steps:

• Pull your credit reports again. Compare them to your baseline. Look for accounts you didn't open, inquiries you didn't authorize, or addresses you don't recognize.

• Check your kids' credit too. Yes, children can be victims of identity theft. Criminals love using children's Social Security numbers because the fraud often goes undetected for years.

• Verify your beneficiary information. Make sure all your VA and military benefits still list the correct people.

How Arctic Trekking, LLC Can Help

Here's the thing, getting documents notarized shouldn't add more stress to an already stressful situation. That's where I come in.

I'm a mobile notary serving the Fort Greely and Delta Junction area, and here's something that sets me apart: I have official base access. Not all mobile notaries can say that. Many would make you drive out to the gate to meet them, which is a hassle you don't need.

I can come directly to you, whether that's your home on post, your office, or wherever is most convenient. Need to get a Power of Attorney notarized before deployment? I can be there. Closing on a house during your PCS? Let's make it easy.

Having someone local who understands military life and can meet you where you are? That's one less thing to worry about during an already hectic time.

Take Action This Week

Identity Theft Awareness Week is the perfect reminder to take these steps seriously. Military families face unique risks, but you also have unique resources and protections available to you. Use them.

And when you need documents notarized, whether it's a POA, real estate paperwork, or anything else, reach out. I'm here to make that part simple.

Stay safe out there.

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Disclaimer: Arctic Trekking, LLC is a notary public service and does not provide legal advice. I am not an attorney licensed to practice law and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice. If you have legal questions, please consult with an attorney.