How to Keep Your Personal Information Safe While Searching for Apartments

Finding an apartment to live in is a daunting task. One has to consider several factors like distance from work, budget, utilities, access to public transportation, etc. However, if you are searching for an apartment online, there’s another factor that can’t be neglected: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

We’ve come up with a list of tips for making sure your search through Craigslist or Zillow doesn’t lead to any unpleasant surprises later on down the road:

Don’t Give Out Sensitive Personal Information Too Early

If you’re searching for an apartment, it’s important to keep your personal information safe. Don’t give out your Social Security number, banking information, credit card information or personal email address until you’ve visited the property and feel confident that it’s a good fit for you.

If someone calls or emails asking for this kind of sensitive data–like if an “agent” asks for your Social Security number so he or she can run a background check on your behalf–don’t provide it! Instead, hang up immediately and report the suspicious activity to local authorities.

Research And Verify The Legitimacy Of The Apartment Listing

It’s important to be sure that you’re working with a legitimate apartment listing. To do this, you’ll want to check the website of the listing and look for reviews of the property on sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor.

 

You should also check for contact information, such as a phone number or physical address; if there is only an email address provided on an apartment listing page (and not even a street address). It may be suspicious and could lead you into trouble later down the line.

If possible, try calling up or visiting in person whoever owns or manages this apartment before signing any paperwork. This will give them time to explain exactly what kind of lease agreement they offer potential tenants so that there aren’t any surprises later on!

Don’t Give Out Your Credit Card Information Over The Phone

If someone calls you and asks for your credit card number, hang up immediately and contact the company directly. If a representative from the company does call you, verify that it is them by asking for some kind of personal information that only they would know (e.g., “What’s my last name?”).

Never enter personal information into an email or text message unless you are sure that it is secure (e.g., there’s no way anyone else could see what you’re typing).

Use Secure Websites And Platforms

When searching for apartments online, look for websites that use secure HTTPS connections (instead of HTTP) to protect their users’ personal information.

 

If you cannot find any secure websites to apply through, consider asking the landlord if they have one available or would be willing to set one up just for you.

If neither option is feasible, then avoid applying at all costs because landlords will not take kindly if they learn someone has been snooping around their website before actually living there!

Use A VPN When Accessing The Internet

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a tool that encrypts your data and hides your IP address. This can protect you from hackers and other malicious users who want to steal information from you when using public Wi-Fi.

It’s also useful if you’re looking for an apartment because some landlords require background checks during the application process (you may be asked for proof of income, credit score, and even criminal record).

Using a VPN will keep these details private when searching for apartments online or using social media sites like Facebook. Where landlords might see them–and reject applicants based on this information alone!

Don’t Leave Personal Information Out In The Open

When you’re looking for an apartment, it’s a good idea to keep your personal information safe. The best way to do this is by not leaving your social security number or credit card number out in the open.

Don’t leave your social security number on a piece of paper on your desk when you’re home alone. This is especially important if someone else has access to the house or apartment with you (a roommate).

Don’t send emails containing sensitive information about yourself–like bank account numbers or credit card info – because these emails may be forwarded without your knowledge by someone who doesn’t have permission and could end up falling into the wrong hands if they’re not encrypted properly with secure encryption software.

Read Apartment Ads Carefully Before Applying For A Place To Live

When you are searching for apartments, it’s important to read apartment ads carefully before applying for a place to live.

 

Here’s what you should look out for:

Look at the information about the landlord or manager. Are they local? Do they have experience in property management? If not, why would they want to rent out an apartment?

Read through all of the fine print and make sure there aren’t any hidden fees or costs associated with renting from this person/company. You don’t want an unexpected surprise when it comes time to move in!

Final Thoughts

We all know how important it is to keep our personal information safe. With so much on the line, it’s essential that you take steps to protect yourself from identity theft and other types of fraud.

The internet can be a scary place, but there are some simple things you can do to make sure your apartment search doesn’t end up costing you more than just money!