Realtor ® Safety Month

September is National Realtor® Safety month. This year has brought about many changes, and safety is now more on our minds than ever before. The idea of staying safe now also means keeping healthy from the coronavirus, and we all know by now what precautions and safeguards to take. In addition to the pandemic concerns, now is a great time to remind ourselves of other basic Realtor® safety tips.

CYBER SAFETY

Many Realtors® are utilizing the conveniences of technology now more than ever to conduct business. Realtors® need to be aware that in our current climate, cybercrime is on the rise. Computer viruses, wire fraud, and dishonest “home seekers” are very real threats. Realtors® need to be especially mindful of who they are working with and vet them thoroughly before conducting business.

It’s a good idea to install virus protection on your computer and schedule routine, professional assistance in maintaining a secure computer network. Identify theft is always a concern as well, especially during these challenging times when we might be more vulnerable to attack.

The housing marking has gained quite a bit of momentum in the past few months, and thankfully many of us are once again busy in the day-to-day business of real estate. It’s especially important not to become distracted and forget vital safety measures.

NAR RESOURCES

NAR has a wealth of resources to help agents and brokers better understand and educate each other about the safety risks they face. From planning your personal safety strategy to extensive safety resources, including apps, products, and educators, NAR has many useful items for all real estate professionals. The NAR website has scheduled safety webinars, numerous safety articles, videos, and a safety alert program. For more detailed information on the NAR programs, visit www.nar.realtor/safety. 1

MEMBER SAFETY REPORT

In addition, NAR produces an annual Member Safety Report, which is designed to keep the Realtor® safe and aware of potential dangers. This report focuses on making the Realtor® aware of their surroundings and empowering them with precautions and preparations so that you can avoid risky situations. Highlights from the 2019 report include:

ƒ 33 percent of Realtors® experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or safety of their personal information.

ƒ The typical Realtor® reported feeling unsafe less than once a year (54 percent) in terms of personal safety, but unsafe in terms of personal information every few months or more often (61 percent).

ƒ 5 percent of Realtors® said they had been a victim of a crime while working as a real estate professional.

ƒ 44 percent of members choose to carry selfdefense weapons.

ƒ 53 percent of members use a smartphone safety app to track whereabouts and alert colleagues in case of an emergency.

To read the report in its entirety, visit www.nar. realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/ member-safety-report. 2

REALTOR® SAFETY NETWORK

NAR now offers a REALTOR® Safety Network to notify members across the country of safety concerns and emergencies. Members can report any serious issues at nar.realtor/safety. These resources are here to help you, the Realtor®, stay safe in every aspect of your job. Working with the public will always include risks as there are constant uncertainties. However, its very important to note, if you have been a victim of a crime, or if you’re in a dangerous situation, you need to contact your local police department immediately. Your safety is our top concern. 2 •

Sources:

www.nar.realtor/safety

www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/member-safety-report