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What are You Doing to Safeguard Your and Your Clients' Personal Information?

By Endre Barath, Jr.

Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 01238708

November 15, 2008 06:50 PM

As a Realtor we have access to financial information, Tax information, Tax I.D. Income, where our clients live, work and much more sensitive information to name a few, that and much more sensitive information to name a few, that our clients trust us with. As their trusted real estate advisor how do you safeguard their personal and financial information?

First Recommendation is to have a good shredder at home. As soon as I do not need some papers into the shredder it goes.

Second install anti-spy ware, anti-virus, and firewall software on your personal computer.
Keep updating your operating system for current security patches. I have MacAfee, they are great. I have it on automatic program. As a new patch arrives, it automatically uploads it on my computer.
If you take your lap top on the road, make sure you lock your laptop and have password protection on it.
I know this is a hard one to do, but never save your online ID, password, or PIN to automatically enter a site. If you do not take this advice at least do it on your financial sites such as your Savings, Checking and 401k accounts.

I try to keep safe and secure not only my personal information, but my clients' as well. I take all papers home from my office. I have a home office set up with Printer, Shredder, safe cabinet and PC. In today's world of instant access to information we have to stay vigilant. Maintaining your and your client's privacy to personal information is a must. It is also important to be internet vigilant, since we get a lot of Leads via the Internet. If I missed some points please add to the list.

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills ,Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at EndreBarath@TheMLS.Com or visit one of my websites http://www.endrebarath.com

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Timothy Butterworth

Taking a break - Portland, OR

Very good advice Endre, thanks for posting this. I might suggest Password lock your laptop or have some locking device. I know of people that loose that and it has all their info on it.

Nov 15, 2008 07:11 PM

Keisha Hosea- KASIHomes.com

KASI Homes - Chino Hills, CA

Real Estate Solutions For Real People

Good reminder Endre. Our clients are depending on us for one of the largest investments ever ad we must carry our our fiduciary duties which includes protecting sensitive information.

Nov 15, 2008 08:31 PM

Julie Chapman

Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Great advice. Georgia took the social security information off of our contracts years ago and I applaud them for that so we don't take any personal information - the lender and closing attorneys get that job.

Nov 15, 2008 11:05 PM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Good food for thought Endre. I alwyas try to keep my clients files locked in the office with the exception of when I'm out with them. As far as password protecting your laptop......that's a no brainer.

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Endre, there are certain things I don't even ask for and leave it up to the lenders and title agents to obtain. As far as personal internet security... I don't save anything personal electronically but it's gotten so bad that I'm forced to keep a book with logins and passwords to a variety of sites or I'd be locked out! There should be a better way!

Nov 16, 2008 12:44 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Endre, very good post and some very good points. Sellers and Buyers trust us with their information. We should do our best to safe guard it. Thanks, I have to go and shred some papers.

Nov 16, 2008 01:41 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Thimothy, Thank you for visiting and I agree password lock on the PC is a great idea.

Nov 16, 2008 04:04 PM

Keisha, you could not have said it better The Feduciary Duty. Thank you.

Nov 16, 2008 04:05 PM

Julie, is it not interesting, thirty some odd years ago, instead of putting my address on my Checks ,I had my SSN on for convenience and easy of ID-ing and now look at today. The world has changed.:))

Nov 16, 2008 04:07 PM

Craig, I am totally with you, I only bring partial files with me, when I am with my clients. The important info stays in the file cabinet.

Nov 16, 2008 04:08 PM

Silvia, I love the small book for passwords and log in information.

Nov 16, 2008 04:10 PM

Michael, hope you finished shredding by now:)))

Debbie Summers

Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Endre- I've very conscious of my client's personal information... I shred everything and make sure that I have sufficient online security so no one gets their hands on it. GREAT POST!

Nov 19, 2008 06:59 AM

Debbie thank you for stopping by. It is unfortunate that we live in troubled times and safety & security of personal information is critical.

Nov 19, 2008 11:06 AM

What are You Doing to Safeguard Your and Your Clients' Personal Information?

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