Catchy title. Great information.

Via Nevin Williams,FHA,VA,Jumbo broker CA,OR,WA,NC (First Priority Financial,broker CA,OR,WA,NC):

I've made tens of thousands of dollars from people just like you.  Yep that's right, I make my living by taking from you every chance I get.  Best part is you make it so easy for me! I have so many ways to do this that it's hard for you to keep up with all of my methods. I'll exploit you, your buyers and make a ton of money!

Tons of money!

 

This is likely the thought process from a criminal of a quickly growing crime called identity theft. What does this have to do with a real estate agent?

A prospect finds your blog and learns about the nuances of buying a home because you blog about it.  Eventually they call you and after a nice conversation you agree to meet.  When you meet the inevitable question arises:  Are you prequalified?  Usually the answer is no but I pay my bills on time and have a down payment.  With a smile on your face you think to yourself, alright!  Looks like I have a qualified buyer! What a great day!

Later that day the trusted loan officer you recommended to your prospect calls to tell you that this person won't qualify because someone stole their identity and ruined their credit. Ughh! Nothing could have prepared you or them for that. 

wrong

Wrong.

 

What you write on your blog is likely read by hundreds or thousands of people in your community.  You provide them information about local events, real estate market, quality of life but do you offer tips to secure their ability to get a loan?

That's the loan officers job! Maybe, but does this scenario affect your paycheck? This fact now makes it everyone's job.

I don't want to pay a monthly fee for credit monitoring or id theft protection and I doubt you and your prospect does either. So here are both free and low cost solutions that you can blog about:

Blog about it

 

Regular credit review: You can pull 3 credit reports a year at no cost.

Where: www.annualcreditreport.com   When: Instead of pulling all three at once pull one report from each credit bureau every four months.  If you choose to use a different source for a free credit report they will likely sell your information for a profit thus increasing your junk mail which now exposes your personal information even more.

Set up a fraud alert with the credit bureau.  You may have to do this on a regular basis.

Guaranteed protection without having to monitor anything.  Cost: A one time fee of about $30 ($10 to each credit bureau)

Credit Freeze.  Where: Experian    Transunion    Equifax 

For about a $10 fee each credit bureau will "freeze" your credit and issue you a PIN number. If you have already been a victim of ID theft it is free. Nobody can access your credit even if they have your social security number, birthdate etc.  They must have the PIN number.  In order to access your credit you must pay a $10 fee to "thaw" your credit and provide your PIN number.  You'll have to pay another $10 to re freeze your credit again.  This is better than a $30 monthly fee paid year after year.  Another downside is that if you apply for credit you will have to remember to "thaw" your credit first.  In case you wondering if I practice what I preach,  my wife and I both have security freeze with all credit bureaus.

 

Of course I won't personally exploit you or your buyers.  If I had titled it  "How to prevent ID theft"  would you have read it?  I didn't think so!

Feel free to copy and paste this info into your own blog.

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Robert L. Brown
Associate Broker
Bellabay Realty
Primary: 616 528 0736
Office: 616 871 1309
brownsellsgr@gmail.com
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com
www.bellabayrealty.com

WHAT CAN MR BROWN DO FOR YOU  !!!! 
 
 
 
 
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4 Comments on I'll exploit you, your buyers and make a ton of money!

MAR
05
2010
288,453 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp

Robert ~ Great post! I would guess this is getting worse at does the economy and desperation of thief's!

6:19pm • #1
471,280 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Robert, This is really good information, thank you for passing it on.

8:22pm • #3
MAR
06
2010


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Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Michigan

Grand Rapids, MI

More about me…

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com

Address: 1685 68th ST SE, Caledonia, Mi, 49316

Office Phone: (616) 871-1309

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