Property and Transaction Security
Somners takes the security of property transactions seriously. While Somners takes appropriate care throughout the transaction, buyers and sellers also have an important role in protecting themselves, particularly when verifying payment details, responding to unexpected instructions and handling personal information.
Most of the precautions are simple. Taking a moment to independently confirm important details can provide an additional layer of protection before money is transferred, sensitive information is provided or an unexpected instruction is followed.
Always Verify Bank Details Before Transferring Money
Before transferring a deposit, fees or any other significant amount connected with a property transaction, independently verify the bank account details with the organisation or professional you intend to pay.
You should initiate the verification call yourself using a telephone number you already know to be genuine or have obtained independently from an official source, such as the organisation’s official website accessed directly. Do not use a telephone number contained in the same email, message or document that provides the payment details, and do not rely on a telephone number obtained from a general Google or other search-engine result.
An incoming telephone call should not be treated as independent verification. If someone calls you about payment instructions or bank details, make your own separate call using independently verified contact information before transferring any money.
If you are advised that bank details have changed, do not make the payment until you have independently confirmed the new details. This should be done regardless of how familiar or convincing the communication appears.
Check Unexpected Instructions Before Acting
Buying or selling property can involve agents, solicitors, lenders, inspectors and other professionals, and legitimate instructions can sometimes change as a transaction progresses.
If a request is unexpected, materially different from what you were previously told or involves money or sensitive information, confirm it independently before acting. Take particular care where a communication introduces new payment details, unusual urgency or an unexpected new person or organisation into the transaction.
Take Care With Personal Information
Property transactions can involve identification, financial information and other sensitive documents. If you receive an unexpected request for this information, confirm who is requesting it and why before providing anything.
Where a secure or established method is available for supplying documents, use that method rather than unnecessarily circulating sensitive information through ordinary email.
Prepare Sensibly for Open Homes and Inspections
If you are selling, put away cash, jewellery, spare keys, personal documents and other small valuables or private information before an open home or private inspection.
It is also sensible to remove anything displaying passwords, access codes, financial details or other information that visitors do not need to see. These are ordinary precautions that can be dealt with as part of preparing the property for inspection.
If Something Does Not Seem Right
If you are unsure about a payment request, instruction or communication, verify it independently before acting. Use contact details you already know to be genuine or obtain them directly from a reliable official source rather than relying on the communication that caused the concern.
If you believe money may already have been transferred incorrectly, contact your bank immediately. Prompt action can be important where a transfer needs to be investigated or stopped.
