Two IDs, Zero Regrets: A Skyline Safety Upgrade for REALTOR® Safety Month

September is REALTOR® Safety Month, which makes it the perfect time to tighten the bolts on how we verify new clients.

Fraudsters have gotten bolder (and tech-ier), and one form of ID just isn’t cutting it anymore. At Skyline, we’re proposing a simple, practical upgrade: collect two forms of identification from every new buyer and seller—not to be nosy, but to be safe. Think of it as the safety vest you actually wear, not the one gathering dust in your trunk.

Why now? Because identity-based scams—especially seller impersonation—are on the rise, and the losses tied to real-estate-related cybercrime keep setting records. Title pros have reported waves of impersonation attempts, while the FBI notes soaring internet-crime losses overall. Translation: If your “seller” is actually a deepfake with a stolen wallet, the fallout lands on your desk, your deals, and your reputation.

The New Standard: Two Forms of ID

What to ask for (examples):

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, state ID)

• Debit/credit card (name must match; no need to record full numbers)

• Student ID or employee/work ID

• Insurance card

• Membership card (e.g., gym, club)

Best practice: One government photo ID + one supporting ID that ties to the same name and, ideally, to the same address or employer. The goal isn’t to become the TSA; it’s to make impersonation materially harder. Title industry guidance is moving toward stricter identity verification—often recommending multiple IDs—and we should meet them at the goal line so deals don’t fall apart at closing.

Do This for Buyers and Sellers

It’s tempting to focus on sellers (for obvious reasons—deeds, payoffs, and the “I actually own this” part). But buyers present risk too: straw purchasers, laundered funds, and identity theft can boomerang into canceled escrows, angry parties, and awkward calls from investigators. Two IDs on every new client creates one clear, consistent policy that’s easier to explain and enforce. And yes, it helps your professional image: being known as the agent who verifies is better than the agent who “somehow always lands the fraudulent listings.”

How to Roll It Out Without Killing the Vibe

• Tell clients up front. Add a friendly line to your intake email: “To protect you and your transaction, we verify identity with two forms of ID.” Normalizing it beats springing it on someone in a driveway. (You’ll be amazed how quickly people comply when it sounds standard.)

• Check the details—not the secrets. You’re confirming name, photo, and plausibility (e.g., same last name and address across IDs, an employer that matches their story). You are not copying card numbers or collecting SSNs.

• Store securely (or don’t store at all). Follow your brokerage policy; if you keep copies, keep them encrypted and access-controlled. If you only visually confirm and document “2 IDs verified on [date],” that’s often enough.

• Match your market’s norms. Title and escrow teams are increasingly flagging identity concerns; your two-ID process makes you a partner, not a problem.

Safety First, Deals Second (But Only by a Hair)

Dealing with clients who misrepresent their identity isn’t just a paperwork headache. It’s a personal-safety risk—meeting strangers in empty houses is dicey enough without the added twist of fake names. It’s also a brand risk: in a small industry, people talk, and you don’t want your name in the same sentence as “that fraudulent lake lot fiasco.” (Actual case: A title firm recently caught an impersonator only because they pushed for stronger verification—exactly what we’re advocating.)

The 60-Second Script You Can Steal

“Before we get started, I protect every client—and myself—by verifying identity with two forms of ID. A driver’s license or passport plus a secondary ID like a work ID, debit card, or insurance card is perfect. It’s a quick step that keeps fraudsters out of our deal and keeps your transaction moving smoothly.”

Short, clear, confident—no apologies needed.

Bottom Line

In a world where AI can spoof a face and a voice, one ID is yesterday’s lock on today’s door. Two IDs aren’t overkill; they’re the new common sense. Make it your default for all new buyers and sellers. Your closings—and your reputation—will thank you.

Have you ever caught someone trying to misrepresent their identity? Share your story in the comments or with a colleague in an upcoming CE Class!

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Works Cited

National Association of REALTORS®. “Safety.” (REALTOR® Safety Month resources).

NC REALTORS®. “REALTOR® Safety Month.” (State association resources and context).

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 2024 Internet Crime Report and press release noting $16B+ in losses.

American Land Title Association (ALTA). “Seller Impersonation Fraud” (resource hub).

ALTA. Guidance—Identity Verification (recommending multiple IDs where possible).

ALTA News. “Title Agency Stops Seller Impersonation…” (real-world interception example).

Business Insider. “Scammers are stealing homes… AI is making it scarily easy.” (context on impersonation/deed fraud).

Note: This article offers risk-management best practices, not legal advice. Always follow your brokerage policies and applicable laws.