Protecting yourself against appraiser identity theft is very different from protecting your credit against identity fraud. Most of the standard advice, such as shredding financial statements and safeguarding social security numbers, will probably not protect you against an individual who wishes to use your name and appraisal license number to issue fraudulent appraisals. To help you out, we’ve put together some identity theft tips specifically designed for real estate appraisers.
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Identity theft tips for appraisers
Let’s face it—your name and license/certificate number are out there. They appear on your work product, on business cards, and on websites. And even if you remove your name and license number from these places, they still appear on the state licensing board website and the Appraisal Subcommittee’s national registry (www.asc.gov). So what can you do to protect yourself against identity fraud?
1. Screen your assistants and trainees
Because many of the appraiser identity theft cases involve appraisal trainees or ex-trainees, check a potential trainee’s background very carefully before hiring him or her.
2. Safeguard your license/certification
Do not make a copy of your license or certification available on your website. Be careful about sending copies of your license/certification to parties whom you do not know.
3. Safeguard your license/certification number
Remove your license/certification number from your business card and stationery, if you can legally do so. Some states require your license/certification number to appear on your business card, so you may not have a choice in this matter.
4. Safeguard your signature password
Do not tape your signature password to your computer or desk, and don’t choose an obvious password, like your name or company name. Change your signature password…