One of my clients recently shared her experience after purchasing a home — she was bombarded with solicitations, both electronically and in person. To make matters worse, someone even showed up at their door, falsely claiming to be a "Transition Advisor" sent by their realtor. 

Thankfully, my client's internal alarm sounded, and she didn't let them in, but this incident highlights a growing concern for new homeowners: safeguarding their personal information.

Why Your Information Is at Heightened Risk When Buying a Home

In 2023, "imposter" scams were the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC. In these scams, criminals pose as trusted groups — such as representatives of well-known businesses or government agencies — to trick people into giving away money or sensitive personal information. Given the increased communication between homebuyers and various professionals during the purchasing process, protecting your identity when buying a home is crucial.

Further, when you buy a home, your personal details become part of the public record. In North Carolina, a county’s Register of Deeds office or Clerk of Superior Court maintains these records, which include deeds, wills, and mortgages, along with names, addresses, maps, and sales prices.

Unfortunately, businesses sometimes exploit these public records, targeting new homeowners with a flood of solicitations. While some offers might be legitimate, others can be deceptive or outright scams. The good news is you can reduce solicitations and protect your information with a few proactive steps.

6 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information

1. Stay vigilant during the mortgage process: Always double-check the sender’s email address and the content of each message to ensure it’s authentic. Scammers often create phishing emails or texts that closely mimic legitimate lender communications, so staying vigilant is crucial. Learn how to identify both here . 
   
   
2. Opt-out of marketing emails and solicitations: As you interact with real estate service providers (lenders, home inspectors, builders, contractors, etc.), opt out of further marketing communications. Thanks to the CAN-SPAM Act, companies must have your permission to send marketing materials, which is why they constantly ask you to opt in.
   
   
3. Adjust your privacy settings with utility providers. Third-party companies sometimes obtain your personal information when activating utilities at your new address. Although it may require sifting through pages of technical jargon online, finding information on how to strengthen your privacy settings with your utility provider is possible. For Greensboro residents, the following links provide opt-out details and privacy policies:
   
   • Power and Water : City of Greensboro Water and Sewer
   •  Natural Gas: Piedmont Natural Gas Privacy Information
   • Telephone and Internet: AT&T , Verizon, CenturyLink, Lumos Fiber, Spectrum , Brightspeed
   
   
4. Be cautious. Be wary of anyone claiming to be associated with your home purchase. As in my client's case, solicitors might even show up at your door pretending to offer helpful services. Always verify their identity by contacting the company using a trusted phone number. If something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t engage.
   
   
5. Use a P.O. box or alternate email address: To add an extra layer of security and reduce unsolicited mail at your new home, consider using a P.O. box for a few months after you move. For around $20 a month, you can direct mail away from the physical location of your new home. Similarly, consider creating a “moving email” that you can use to interact with online providers while researching your new home needs. Once you’re settled, you can delete the email address entirely.
   
   
6. Register with the Do Not Call List: Reduce unwanted phone solicitations by registering your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. While it won’t eliminate all telemarketing calls, it can reduce them.

Final Thoughts

By taking these proactive steps, you can better safeguard your personal information when buying a home and enjoy your new space with peace of mind. Remember, your home is your sanctuary — so it’s always wise to protect it accordingly.

As always, if you have concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help however I can.