Many services and transactions have gone digital, including those in the real estate industry. Agents must market their services and interact with clients via digital channels. But with that comes a new set of personal data security concerns.

For instance, when you promote your business online via social media, you might inadvertently share some personal information hackers can use to manipulate you or your loved ones. Or, in an effort to be responsive, you might include sensitive data in emails or click on links that install malware on your devices.

Here’s how to balance staying relevant in the digital world and delivering outstanding client services with protecting your privacy and safety:

 

 

Limit the Personal Information You Share

Avoid sharing personal information on your marketing materials or client communications. Don’t put your home address, personal phone numbers, or middle name on ads or business cards. Use only your work phone and office address on your website, direct mail pieces, and online directory listings.

Beware of Phishing Scams and Spoof Websites

Criminals can infect your computer with malware that’ll allow them to steal personal data from you. Don’t open suspicious email attachments, especially from senders you don’t know. If you get any from a contact, but the message looks suspicious, don’t open the file. Contact the sender to verify that they indeed sent the file.

Also, hover over a hyperlink to check the destination URL before clicking — a malicious link can direct you to a website that downloads malware to your device. Some phishing emails could send you to a spoof website that looks like the “real deal” (e.g., a bank’s sign-in page) to trick you into entering your credentials.

 

 

Know Who’s Calling Before You Pick Up

Most smartphones display the caller’s identity so you can ensure that you’re talking to someone you trust. If you receive a call from an unknown caller, be extra cautious and don’t give away sensitive information. If the caller asks for personal data, call the organizations they claim they work for to verify the request.

Use a Separate Line for Work Communication

Set up a separate line for your work phone, email, and text. Instead of buying another device, you can use software to create a virtual second phone line with encryption capabilities on your existing device. You can separate all your work-related communication, so you don’t have to give up personal data in a compliance audit.

Protect Your Devices During an Open House

Before a showing or open house, gather all your devices and lock them up in a safe place to prevent criminals from walking into the property and walking out with your laptop or cellphone — which they can hack and access your browsing history, login credentials, and documents containing sensitive data.

 

 

Don’t Send Sensitive Information Via Email

Email is not a secure channel for sharing sensitive information. In particular, cybercriminals like to prey on real estate agents because they handle a lot of personal data. Always send sensitive information via encrypted channels, such as the messaging feature on a bank’s mobile app or a trusted website.

Practice Social Media Safety Best Practices

Social media is an effective marketing channel for real estate agents to promote their businesses and build client relationships. But be careful what you share on your profiles and posts. Threat actors can piece together information from different sources to learn about you and your family and use the knowledge to craft targeted social engineering scams.

While you should be friendly, responsive, and interact with your followers, pay attention to how much you share about your personal life. Don’t mention where you live, where your children go to school, your after-work whereabouts, vacation plans, or other details that criminals can use against you or your loved ones.