AP9 Articles

Privacy PlusSM Helps Renters Find a New Lease on Life

Privacy Plus, a leading security and privacy membership program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, offers members advice and valuable insights on how credit records can affect their ability to rent a property. Even more, Privacy Plus shares ideas on how renting can be different from home buying — especially when it comes to the pivotal relationship between renter and landlord.

Unlike a home mortgage, which often ends up as just a financial arrangement between you and a faceless entity these days, when it comes to renting, you and the landlord have to establish a relationship based on trust. Simply showing up with a current bank statement or a letter of reference from a current or past employer just isn’t enough. And from your perspective as the renter, a promissory note from the landlord or even a “handshake” agreement shouldn’t be enough either — especially when it comes to structural damages for which you could be liable.

Clearly, the relationship between landlord and renter depends on both communication and documentation. For that reason, Privacy Plus has a few handy tips on landing rental properties:

-- Put it in writing. If you don’t have written proof of your financial past, including past residences, employment records and references, that’s a lot like a landlord telling you, “You’ll love this place … just take my word for it.” Prospective landlords, like prospective employers, need written proof that you’re a reliable individual. So before you start looking at places, prepare a resumé of previous living arrangements and employment status.

-- Keep an eye on credit. Landlords can and will run a credit check on you when you try to rent a house or apartment. Plain and simple, the law allows them to use your credit history as a factor in evaluating your application. For that reason, it’s probably a good idea to include a copy of your credit report with the rental application. If your credit is especially good, adding a credit report copy could seal the deal. If your credit is only marginal, that kind of upfront honesty and preparedness can also give you an edge over other would-be renters.

-- A promise is a promise? Taking someone at their word doesn’t really wash when it comes to any business dealing — especially real estate matters. Just as a landlord won’t accept the fact that you have good credit at your say-so, you shouldn’t, for example, accept a verbal agreement to fix plumbing problems. Promises are nice; written documentation helps get the job done.

-- Rent-a-Check. Even if a landlord has property insurance, that just covers the property — not your personal items. Check up on and protect your investment with renter’s insurance, and guard against fire, theft and personal injury.

Renting a house or apartment doesn’t have to be a chore. Still, since it directly affects your future, be sure to put in the time and effort needed to make a solid, reliable decision, suggests Privacy Plus.

AP9 PrivacyPlus Alerts Consumers to Additional Threats of Identity Theft at Automatic Teller Machines

As the number of recent thefts of personal and financial records from major corporations continues to rise, members of AP9 PrivacyPlus, a leading security membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, are turning to the program for increased security and peace of mind surrounding their identities.

While “dumpster diving” (i.e., rummaging through the trash for personal information) is the most prevalent form of identity theft, thieves also rely on ATM personal identification numbers (PINs) and ATMs themselves. This evolution of tactics reinforces the need for secure safeguards of personal information like those offered by AP9 PrivacyPlus, which members can access around the clock via DealPass.com.

AP9 PrivacyPlus offers a few insights into potential risks to your identity from using ATMs and ATM cards:

• “Shoulder surfers” steal information simply by looking over your shoulder while you enter an ATM PIN.
• Fake ATMs are used to dupe you into trying to withdraw money from an ATM, forcing you to enter your PIN one or more times while your card is “locked” inside the machine. Thieves will either “shoulder surf” or videotape you as you enter your PIN, then use that information and your stolen card to drain your bank account.
• Even legitimate ATM machines can be used against you. Thieves will place a thin, plastic sheet into the card slot, which will then capture your card while you enter your PIN repeatedly under the watchful eye of the thief. When you walk away in frustration, the thief will pull your card out and use your PIN.
• “Skimmers” steal financial information from you when you purchase items with an ATM debit card.  ATM skimmers can fit almost seamlessly into legitimate ATM machines to read the data on the magnetic stripe when your card is swiped.  This information is then sent to associates who use the recorded data to purchase items or create counterfeit cards.

The best defenses against these risks include: shielding the keypad when entering your PIN; checking the card slot for a plastic sheet before inserting your card; using ATM machines only in trusted locations, like your local bank; using a debit card that has a cap on losses for which you may be liable; and asking your bank to set a daily withdrawal limit on your debit card.  Of course, checking your bank statements and your credit report regularly can also alert you to signs of identity theft.

AP9 PrivacyPlus members have immediate access to a wide range of benefits designed to protect their personal information, credit, assets, physical property and more.