Safety tips for Real Estate Agents have appeared in several news outlets this month reporting the recent death of a realtor from Coppell, Texas. According to personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano, yet another story about violence against realtors again illustrates why these professionals must take extra safety precautions as a routine part of their jobs. Siciliano then enumerated simple measures those who work in real estate can employ.
“Everything about realtors is out in the open,” said Siciliano, who presents workshops to Fortune 500 companies nationwide and is founder of RealtySecurity.com. “This is the way they make their living. But the constant public interaction is bound to bring with it dangerous people and leave realtors susceptible to violence and crimes like identity theft.”
Author of “The Safety Minute: 01” and president of IDTheftSecurity.com, Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. This year, Siciliano has discussed identity theft on CNBC’s “On the Money” multiple times, on NBC’s “Today Show,” and on FOX News.
Articles, including one in the Bradenton Herald, reported last month that a realtor showing a model home in McKinney, Texas, was stabbed 27 times on July 8 and left to die. A small group of curious home shoppers who later stopped by the location found her body. According to articles, police began a wide investigation in search of the killer. As of July 23, reports indicated that police had yet to find the killer, and no news of developments to the contrary has surfaced since.
Siciliano shared his advice on what realtors can do to protect themselves against physical violence, identity theft, stalkers, and more:
- Google yourself. Personal, identifying information such as your home phone number or home address may be available online for all to see. Look into having the information removed.
- Use an untraceable 800-number. Your phone number can provide a trail to your personal information. Services available for reasonable rates (such as MyPrivateLine.com) will allow you to use an 800-number in place of your cell. Callers will be automatically routed to you, but will never know your cell number.
- Always let colleagues know, on a regular basis, where you are. Better yet, get a cell phone with GPS, which lets friends, family, and coworkers—not to mention law enforcement officials—track your whereabouts.
- Have your cell phone readily available to make an emergency. Never bury it deep inside a purse or duffel bag. Include important numbers in the speed dial rotation.
- Be careful with your personal e-mail address. Unless it is a free address (e.g., hotmail or yahoo), crooks might be able to learn more about you. Whenever possible, share only your employer-provided e-mail address.
- Follow clients as you show property; never let them walk behind you.
- Exercise caution when you must show a secluded or vacant property. If possible, work in pairs under such circumstances.
“The possibility of physical violence is a major reality for realtors,” concluded Siciliano. “But it’s not the only concern. Those in the real estate industry must also remain vigilant against identity thieves and petty stalkers. You want potential clients to find you, but you don’t want nut cases finding where you live. A little carelessness can lead to a lot of frustration and, sometimes, tragedy.”
