Be Smart and Be Safe

We live in a world where we can look up anything on the internet.   What’s the most popular dog? How many steps to get to the top of the Statue of Liberty?  What is my boss’s kids name? What is my old high school boyfriend up to now?

In case you were wondering the answers…it’s Labrador retriever (again), 354 steps, check Facebook, and make sure you don’t accidentally hit the like button when snooping.

In all seriousness, we all have access to look up whatever we want at any time.  That includes names, phone numbers, addresses, family names, property purchases, etc.   When engaging in an online community, you want to do your best to avoid sharing any of that information.   Here are a few tips on how to keep your information private, to the best of your ability.

1. Use our masked email service.
   1. If you are fortunate enough to have created an email without personal information in the address, good for you!  However, a lot of us still have first or last names, birthdays, etc. within our contact email address.   To avoid using your personal email address, make sure to use our masked email system so that the potential buyer does not see your information.
2. Don’t share personal information.
   1. To be safe, make sure nothing is showing in your home pictures that would give away your personal details (name, medications, awards, school information, work information, etc.).
   2. Never share personal information such as driver’s license, bank accounts, credit cards, or social security numbers over our communication system.   Unless you are in an agreement with someone (with third-party representation), there is no reason why someone would need this information from you. 
3. Don’t fall for solicitations
   1. If someone finds your contact information (thanks a lot whitepages.com) and tells you that they were referred to you by Selling Later, they are (as my kids like to say) “telling a fib.”  Selling Later will never give out your contact information, especially to a company for sales leads.   If someone is contacting you personally, it’s because they took the time to research your information online.   We understand that you might need realtor services, a landscaper, or a painter.  However, we highly suggest you ask your neighbors, friends, or family for referrals first.  The people that are trying to contact you via community platforms are looking for a sale and will not always have your best interest as their top priority.
      1. As a reminder, we have a robust anti-solicitation policy (link).  If someone does send you a solicitation, please be sure to report it so that we can remove their account.  We want you to receive leads from buyers, not leads from people that want you to make money off of you.
4. Do not accept or share any form of payment through community platforms.
   1. Financial scams can happen anytime and anywhere (looking at you, Foreign Prince who keeps emailing me to give me all of his fortunes). Whether it’s over the phone or online, you should never agree to show your home or sign an agreement without a third party involved.  You should also never accept money or send money on our platform.  
   2. Again, we will never tell you how to sell your home, but you do need someone else involved.  Having that third party helps to cover you legally and protect your best interests.

If you feel that you have received an inquiry that seems fraudulent, please email us the fraudulent information (including the message, user and other important information) to info@sellinglater.com