Helena Talbot's blog - How To Protect Your Identity While Buying A Home

If you're looking for a home, you need to be aware that criminals are watching you.  They know that someone who's trying to buy a home has some money tucked away.  And they can't wait to get their grubby little hands on your hard earned money.
You need to take the necessary steps to ensure your identity and your computer are protected from thieves and viruses.

Beware of online criminals who put up fake websites just to gain access to your personal information.  These sites may look real but you need to take precautions and thoroughly check a site before inputting your personal information or downloading anything that could be uploading a virus to your computer and stealing your information.  You can do this by only using reputable, well know sites and sites that have been recommended by your realtor.  Or better yet, only use your realtors site.
Here are a few tips that will help you protect yourself while searching for a new home.

1.  Install some anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing protection software on every device you use to access the internet.   If you already have these installed, you should make sure you keep them up to date because cyber-criminals are continually changing the ways in which they can gain access to your computer.  The better anti-virus software's will also deny you access to any site that is malicious or has a malicious link.  Just another reason not to skimp on your anti-virus protection.

2.  Always keep your browser and operating systems updated.  That means whether you use Firefox or IE or whether you use Windows Vista or Windows 7;  you should upgrade to Windows 8 if you can and update whatever browser you use to its latest version as well.  The newest versions will be better equipped to handle the latest viruses.

3.  Don't ever access your financial information unless you are using a secure connection.  If the website address does not start with "https" - then it's not  secure.  The "s" at the end of the "https" indicates that it is "s" for secure.  And it is recommended that you never access your financial or any other personal information from a public Wi-Fi spot.

4.  You should only use a mortgage calculator from a legitimate site or the mortgage calculator found on your realtors website.

5.  Remember that email is not secure.  So don't provide any of your personal or financial information to your lender via email.  It's better to pick up your phone and call them to relay such sensitive information.

6.  Have a credit freeze put on your credit report.   A credit freeze is designed to stop someone from opening new accounts in your name.   You will need to let the mortgage company know that you have a freeze on your credit and that you will have to make arrangements to allow access to your credit report when that time comes.

Be proactive in protecting your identity and your personal information.  You don't want anything to get in the way of buying your next home or anything else you may want to purchase along the way.

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.