WSVN — There is a lot of paperwork involved in renting an apartment. But how much personal information is too much? It’s tonight’s Dollars and Sense.
Renting a home or an apartment can be an exciting time, but a move can also make you a target for identity thieves.
Madeleine Romanello: “There’s always a scam. It’s South Florida.”
Madeleine Romanello, with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, says the most important thing is to know who you’re dealing with.
Madeleine Romanello: “You can go on myfloridalicense.com, so you could check out my license and the standing of my license. Call the broker of ONE Sotheby’s and say, ‘Hey, do you have a realtor working there, Madeleine Romanello, is she OK?'”
Even when you know who you’re working with, guard your personal information.
Madeleine Romanello: “I think you need to stick to the application and answer those questions and not give additional information.”
Ask others who live in the area what their experience has been.
Madeleine Romanello: “This is a very, very valid point. It’s like, who is protecting the information that you’re giving?”
Some information you should be prepared to give is your name, driver’s license number, marital status, employment information and your social security number.
If you’re not comfortable giving out your social, some realtors will allow you to pull your own credit report and bring it with you.
Madeleine Romanello: “Limit your exposure out there as far as in the written form.”
You can never be too careful with your personal information.
Madeleine Romanello: “If someone has your social, your driver’s license and your mother’s maiden name and your date of birth, then it’s very easy to get information.”
For More Information:
http://www.myfloridalicense.com