The Importance of Identity Checks
Don’t be Fooled by False IDs
Identity theft is a growing crime in the U.S. Thieves steal another person’s identity for financial gain or to access a good credit rating. Most landlords and property managers require their tenant applicants to provide identification, but how do you know that the driver’s license or state ID that your new tenant provides is genuine?
Landlords beware: just because the photo on Jane Doe’s ID matches the face of the applicant in your office, it doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Mary Smith, the identity thief, could be pretending to be Jane Doe, the financially responsible, long-term employee with a stellar credit rating, who actually lives several states away and has no idea that her identity has been stolen.
A typical scenario: professional identity thieves rent your property and skip town in the middle of the night, owing you months of rent or even stealing appliances, fixtures, or other property. When you attempt to track down the tenant, you discover the person who lived in your rental unit was not the person on the application.
These days, landlords and property managers must protect their interests, using every tool available. Identity checks should be a standard part of your tenant screening process.