The National Association of REALTORS® has designated September as REALTOR® Safety Month. In conjunction with NAR, the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® seeks to promote the Keys to REALTOR® Safety: Knowledge, Awareness and Empowerment by sharing safety tips from NAR so members and the public will be reminded to KNOW the dangers they face every day, to be AWARE of their surroundings, and EMPOWER themselves with precautions and preparations so they can avoid risky situations.
The following tips can help lower risk of becoming a victim of identity theft, which is a serious and costly crime, and happens to be the fastest growing crime in America.
1. Don't get caught by "phishing."
Scam artists "phish" for victims' information by posing as representatives of banks, stores or government agencies. This is done over the phone, through regular mail, and especially via e-mail. Don't give out your personal information unless you made the contact.
2. Shred important papers.
Invest in a paper shredder and shred all papers with personal information before you throw them away, including unwanted credit card applications and "convenience checks" that come in the mail, credit card receipts with your account number, financial papers and papers containing your personal information.
3. Shield your computer from viruses and spies.
Use firewall and virus protection software and update it regularly. Enter personal information only on secure Web pages with "https" in the address bar and a closed padlock symbol at the bottom of the browser window.
4. Check your bills and bank statements.
Open your credit card bills and bank statements right away. Check for any unauthorized charges or withdrawals and report them immediately. Call if bills don't arrive on time. It may mean that someone has changed contact information to hide fraudulent charges.
5. Stop pre-approved credit offers.
Stop most pre-approved credit card offers by calling toll-free 888-5OPTOUT (888-567-8688) to have your name removed from credit bureau marketing lists.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus - Equifax®, ExperianSM and Trans Union®. Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free at (877) 322-8228, or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.
This article is part of the National Association of REALTORS® REALTOR® Safety Resources Kit. Sources include the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of Privacy Protection in the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Visit NAR's REALTOR® Safety Web site at www.REALTOR®.org/Safety.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.