If an identity thief used your personal identifying information to rent an apartment or house, could it cause trouble for you? Yes, especially if the tenant (identity thief) didn’t pay the rent or caused damage to the property. If you are considering applying for a rental property or have reason to believe someone may have used your information when renting, consider contacting consumer reporting agencies that collect tenant and rental information.
Below are three tenant screening companies that will provide one free consumer report per 12 month period, if you request it. These companies collect various types of data related to a consumer’s rental history. Visit each company’s website to learn more about what they collect and what types of businesses use the reports they sell.
CoreLogic SafeRent
Request a copy of your CoreLogic SafeRent by phone: 1-888-333-2413 or online form found at http://www.corelogic.com/downloadable-docs/saferent-manual- authentication-form-2015.pdf. Visit http://www. corelogic.com/landing-pages/saferent-consumer.aspx for more information.
Experian Rent Bureau
Use the form found at http://www.experian.com/ assets/rentbureau/general/request_form.pdf to request an Experian Rent Bureau report. For more information visit www.experian.com/rentbureau.
First Advantage
Request a First Advantage report by calling 1-888-215-3727. Visit https://www.fadv.com/free-report-for-consumers.aspx for more information.
Not all consumers will have a report, but it is a good idea to check to determine if a report exists and contains correct data if you plan on submitting an application to rent a property. Doing so before you submit a rental application will give you time to correct any errors or resolve an identity theft issue. When you apply for a rental property, ask the landlord or property manager what service they use to conduct tenant screening. It may be a service that is not listed here. Contact the service to request a copy of your report for review, especially if your application is denied or you are charged a higher deposit fee.
IDShield is a product of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. d/b/a LegalShield (“LegalShield”). LegalShield provides access to identity theft protection and restoration services. For complete terms, coverage and conditions, please see an identity theft plan. All Licensed Private Investigators are licensed in the state of Oklahoma. This is meant to provide general information and is not intended to provide legal advice, render an opinion, or provide any specific recommendations.
