Waltham, MA (PRWEB) December 24, 2013 -- Identity theft continues to be a problem across the United States and the world.
From http://www.NBCNews.com (Feb. 20, 13):
Some 12.6 million Americans were victimized by ID theft in 2012, the second-highest total since the Federal Trade Commission began counting victims in 2003 and roughly 1 million more than 2011, according to the survey by Javelin Strategy and Research. The record – 13.9 million victims – was set in 2009. http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/id-theft-rise-again-12-6-million-victims-2012-study-1C8448021
Recently, over 40 million Target customers' credit and debit card information was stolen.
From the WINK News website (Dec. 22, 13)
"You could see something 3 months, 6 months, 9 months down the road. Keep an eye on your accounts. Eventually people are going to forget and that's when the criminals are going to use the card numbers again," said identity theft expert Carrie Kerskie.. http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2013-12-22/ID-theft-expert-says-Target-shoppers-still-at-risk#.Uri_FfRDv58
In a news report from March 19, 2013, WMC-TV reported of identity theft where rental applications were the source of information for the fraud.
U.S. postal inspectors and the Justice Department are working a case in which each of the victims were renters who filled out applications at the same apartment complex. "Somebody who worked for the apartment management complex was able to obtain copies of their driver’s licenses," said U.S. Postal Inspector Blanca Alvarez. The identity thief then applied for student loans with the victims' birth dates and Social Security numbers.
http://www.wmctv.com/story/21710445/andys-got-your-back-on-id-theft-through-rental-applications
Recovering from identity theft can be a long and painfully expensive process.
To help assist rental applicants from potential identity theft, TenantScreeningUSA.com announces SmartMove®, a program designed specifically to protect renter’s critical data and information.
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “SmartMove® helps rental applicants control the data they share with landlords on a written application by utilizing a secure internet portal and data exchange with TransUnion.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com’s SmartMove® allows a tenant to verify their identity via TransUnion, a well known credit bureau and information provider. Potential tenant’s interact and exchange information via a secure on-line portal. Specific data, such as social security numbers and birth dates, are never fully revealed to landlords or property managers. Combined with the lack of a written application, a document that could be lost or misused, and masked information to landlords and property managers, tenants are better protected from identity theft.
There are other benefits for a renter using SmartMove®.
Almeida continues: “The potential renter enters their own information into SmartMove® thereby allowing only completed applications to move forward in the process. Also, by entering their own data the potential renter provides legal consent for their information to be reviewed and verified. Subsequently, the tenant screening process is quicker as is the overall speed of the application process. Lastly, it should also be noted that the tenant’s credit is not negatively affected by a credit search as the request comes from the potential applicant and not an outside third-party.”
And SmartMove® is a valuable tool for single or small unit landlords and property managers as well.
Almeida states: “SmartMove® provides three things a landlord is always looking for: Quick access to data, comprehensive reports, and prompt exchange of information.”
Access of information for decision making is almost immediate as the tenant provides all critical personal information directly to TransUnion via a safe and secure internet portal. Subsequently, a comprehensive report, inclusive of credit and criminal history information, as well as any additional reports a landlord might require, is created. And, in the end, the report will provide a leasing recommendation in minutes.”
SmartMove® also provides for flexibility in payment terms, either from the applicant directly or the landlord. Further, there are no minimum usage requirements.
Almeida continues: “SmartMove® is the most practical, efficient and secure manner to gather information for tenant applications. By utilizing a secure internet portal, a tenant’s critical information is held secure and, subsequently, greatly decreases the potential for identity fraud.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party background screening agency that provides tenant screening solutions to rental properties of all sizes. With SmartMove® TenantScreeningUSA.com has the ideal solution for landlords and tenants alike. Safe, Secure, and protected information will greatly reduce the risk of identity fraud, and that is just one benefit. For more information on SmartMove® visit http://tenantscreeningusa.com/
Dan Adams, Criminal Background Records, http://www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com, +1 (877) 811-6557, [email protected]
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