Watch the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) video, “Window to the Law: Preventing cybercrime during COVID-19.” It offers great suggestions to protect yourself and your customers, especially during real estate transactions.
As REALTORS® and consumers use technology to provide services while protecting the health and safety of others, criminals are expected to expand their activities, too, says NAR Associate Counsel Charlie Lee. Criminals will use phishing, spoofing and malware to illegally access email, financial accounts and sensitive information. Avoid huge financial liability by taking precautions.
Lee provides these suggestions:
- Remind clients how you will communicate with them and urge them to verify all information sent to them.
- Educate clients about pandemic-related schemes criminals are using (see Federal Trade Commission).
- Educate clients to rely on authoritative websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and other government agencies for information.
- Diligently check the deleted folder and mailbox settings of your email accounts for any suspicious activity such as automatic forwarding.
- Review the NAR resources on data privacy and security such as the NAR Cybersecurity Checklist.
