It may not be news to some, but the number of crimes against REALTORS® is shockingly high compared to other professions.  In fact, more than 60,000 REALTORS® end up becoming victims of violent crimes such as assault, murder, sexual abuse and robbery every year.

While some men may think that they are immune from being attacked, the number of crimes against them is also high.  In a poll conducted by the National Association of Realtors in 2020, over 22 percent of real estate agents reported that they often work in fear, so it is easy to see why the issue of safety has been a national policy agenda for many years.

That is partially why it is so exciting to announce that we are now able to provide our membership with a valuable new tool to aid in protecting their safety.  FOREWARN is a complimentary software application that members of the Cape Fear REALTORS® can download. 

The best part about FOREWARN is that it can help to evaluate a prospective client before meeting with them in person.  With as little as a phone number, FOREWARN can provide instant identity, criminal, and property verification. 

Background checking and identity verification services can often have a substantial price tag.  Part of the reason that we can offer it for free is that we receive a group discount, and this is of course just one of many benefits to membership.    

Here at the Cape Fear REALTORS®, we are always looking for ways to enhance and improve the benefits that we offer, and we understand that safety is always going to be an important issue.  All of us are very optimistic that the FOREWARN software will be able to help us improve the safety and efficiency of our members, as well as provide their clients and families with an additional layer of protection. This vital service is timed in concert with REALTOR® Safety Month. Be on the lookout for tips and programs geared to build awareness and improve the safety culture here at Cape Fear REALTORS® so that every REALTOR® comes home safely each night.

                      The way that FOREWARN works is that it searches a number of online databases to provide instant and mobile identity verification, along with available public records (criminal, property, court, etc.), for over 98 percent of the adult population nationwide.  The software is often able to retrieve a variety of records and information, such as:

• Identity (first name, last name, alias, and age)
• Phone numbers (residential and mobile history)
• Address history (rental, ownership, and associated addresses) 
• Financial indicators (bankruptcy, lien, and judgement history)
• Property records (nationwide property ownership history)
• Criminal records (nationwide criminal history search)

If a phone number for the prospective client is not available, a search using the first and last name can be conducted.  It is normal for multiple people to be linked to a single phone number, either as previous owners of the phone number, or relatives, so a lack of results doesn’t necessarily mean criminal intent.  Also, users should be aware that if a search using a first and last name has more than 100 results, the system will indicate that too many records were found. 

To learn more about the benefits we provide for members or research safety tips, visit CapeFear.REALTOR or call 910-762-7400. 

Ea Ruth is the 2022 president of Cape Fear REALTORS®, an organization with nearly 3,500 members who serve as the region’s Voice of Real Estate. Cape Fear REALTORS®, through advocacy, education, and community involvement, support efforts to protect the rights of property owners, promote the availability of housing, and provide resources to guarantee every individual has the right to share in the “American Dream.”  For further information on this topic and the association, please visit www.capefear.realtor or contact the Cape Fear REALTORS® at 910-762-7400.