Our real estate lawyer, Justin Ckezepis, recently went on the popular podcast – The Security Brief with Paul Viollis – to offer advice on how to protect yourself while buying or selling a home. Listen to the podcast here, and continue reading to learn more on this topic.
Whether you are in the midst of purchasing a home, you currently have your home on the market, or you have plans to buy or sell in the future, it is essential that you work with a real estate lawyer. Years ago, an electronic component to transactions didn’t exist, so vital personal information was less likely to be stolen or tampered with during the process. Today, so much information goes back and forth between people online, it’s essential that you work with a real estate lawyer and be extremely vigilant about protecting your information.
Most of the risk occurs after the buyer and seller negotiate the terms of their agreement and the contract is signed. At this point, a plethora of information needs to be gathered from both parties, like Social Security numbers, bank wiring information, and account numbers. Hackers know that real estate transactions are a breeding ground for this information, and they are likely to swoop in if this information is not properly protected.
To protect your information and keep it secure after you enter escrow, there are several steps you should take:
- Work with a real estate attorney who can assist you with your transaction and act as a personal advocate for your security.
- Limit the number of people who access your information. You should also avoid sharing any information that is not properly secured or encrypted.
- Spend a few minutes over the phone speaking with anyone who will handle your private information during the transaction. Ask them what protocols they have in place to protect your data.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Bright Law, PLLC today!