Utah Real Estate News Clips - Utah Real Estate

Protect yourself from identity theft
June 12, 2006

NAR partners with FTC to educate REALTORS® and consumers

With millions of Americans becoming the victims of identity theft each year, the National Association of REALTORS® has joined with the Federal Trade Commission to help educate REALTORS® and consumers about how they can better protect themselves.

In 2005, there were nearly 2,000 cases of identity fraud in Utah, according to a report by the FTC. Nationally, the FTC has received thousands of real estate-related identity theft complaints, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

The effects of this crime are devastating — especially for those planning to buy a home.

“There is perhaps no greater impediment to purchasing a home than a credit report that is tainted through identity theft or fraud,” said NAR President Tom Stevens in a prepared statement.

As part of the new public awareness campaign, the two groups will be distributing an educational brochure, “AvoID Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend.” The brochure provides education about the steps you can take to prevent identity fraud and provides information about what you should do if you become a victim.

To access the new brochure, please visit, www.realtor.org/idtheft. For more information and resources about identity theft, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site, www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

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