Recommended Office Procedures for Realtors

Realtors are often vulnerable to crime. They may find themselves alone with clients at the office, in cars, or at listed houses. Realtors often advertise their home addresses and phone number that make them too easily accessible. The following safety tips can help reduce your chances of being a prey to a predator:

Consider advertising without using your picture, home phone number and/or home address in the newspaper or on business cards. Subscribe to caller ID on your telephone. This will provide you with immediate information about the caller.

Have a fellow employee or friend go with you. Maintain a clear escape route: stay close to the exits or stay outside. If you feel uneasy with clients, allow them the check out the house on their own.

Jot down the customer's driver license or car's license plate number before transporting them or showing them a listing. Leave this information in a location in the office that can be looked over by other employees.

Have a check-out employee board at work, listing your name, destination, client's name, date, and expected time of return.

Keep a cell phone with you. Have a code word prepared when you need help but can not talk.

Have you car inspected on a regular basis; keep it maintained; learn how to change a flat tire.

Display strength and confidence; do not wear clothing that can restrict your mobility especially when the time comes to defend yourself.

Have a weekly or monthly meeting with your fellow employees and other area brokers to discuss business and safety issues. Share any comments or concerns. If you feel a client is suspicious, take extra precautions to avoid isolation or vulnerability. Cut off your services with that client if necessary.

Maintain a file on past and present suspicious clients, and homes.

Report harassing phone calls to your boss and to the local authorities right away. It is very important to tell the caller "never call here again," in order to meet the letter of the law regarding telephone communications harassment.

If someone is stalking or harassing you, report the offense to your boss and local authorities right away.

Harassment occurs when a person subjects another to alarm by conveying a telephonic or written threat to inflict serious physical injury on that person or to commit a felony involving
the person or property of that person or any member of that person's family, which
threat reasonably would be expected to cause alarm. A person is criminally liable for
harassment if the person knowingly permits any telephone under the person's control
to be used in violation of the entire harassment subsection.

Stalking occurs when a person knowingly alarms or coerces another person or a member of that person's family or household by engaging in REPEATED and UNWANTED contact with the other person.

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