On July 1, 2025, the MIBOR REALTOR® Association, a major real estate trade group in central Indiana, announced a significant upgrade to its safety protocols with the integration of FOREWARN, LLC’s identity verification platform. FOREWARN allows real estate agents to instantly verify a client’s identity and background by using just their phone number, providing a much-needed layer of safety for agents meeting new clients.
Why Agent Safety Is a Growing Concern
In recent years, safety concerns have become a top priority for real estate professionals, particularly those who work alone or meet clients in private properties. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports that nearly 1 in 4 agents have faced safety threats during the course of their work, making it critical for real estate organizations to invest in tools that enhance security. From fraud to physical threats, agents encounter a wide range of potential dangers when engaging with unknown clients, which is why the integration of technology for agent safety is gaining momentum across the country.
FOREWARN: A Powerful Tool for Real Estate Professionals
FOREWARN’s integration into MIBOR’s offerings is a direct response to these rising safety concerns. The platform works by allowing agents to use a prospective client’s phone number to verify their identity and check for any criminal records or other concerning information. With just a few clicks, agents can gather valuable data, including the person’s full name, address, and any red flags that may appear in their background.
For agents, this tool offers a much-needed safeguard before committing to in-person meetings. With the option to assess risk quickly, agents can make informed decisions about whether to proceed with a showing or meeting in a safe environment.
Shelley Specchio, CEO of MIBOR, emphasized the importance of proactive safety measures, saying, “We believe that FOREWARN provides a vital layer of security for our members. By offering instant access to identity insights, we are helping agents reduce risks and enhance their overall safety when meeting new clients.”
Practical Benefits for Real Estate Agents
Here’s how real estate professionals can leverage FOREWARN to enhance safety during their work:
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Instant Client Verification: With just a phone number, agents can verify key details about potential clients, such as their full name, address, and whether they have a criminal background. This can be done instantly via a smartphone, which means agents can access this information right before meeting a client.
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Fraud Prevention: FOREWARN’s technology helps protect agents from fraudulent activities, such as scam listings or clients who might be pretending to be someone else. This verification process helps confirm whether the client is legitimate, reducing the chances of fraud before any business transactions are initiated.
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Improved Client Interaction: By using FOREWARN to verify identities before a meeting, agents can reduce the time spent on potentially unsafe or non-serious leads. This allows for better prioritization of clients who are genuinely interested in moving forward, improving efficiency and safety.
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Increased Confidence: Knowing that they have background verification tools at their disposal, agents can approach meetings with a greater sense of confidence. This can reduce anxiety about meeting unfamiliar clients in potentially unsafe settings.
How Agents Can Get Started
MIBOR’s partnership with FOREWARN provides its members with access to the platform at no additional cost. To get started, agents need to register with MIBOR and download the FOREWARN app. Once set up, they can start using it immediately to verify client details before showings or meetings.
For agents looking to enhance their safety protocols, it’s important to integrate the use of FOREWARN into daily practices. This means routinely verifying clients before in-person meetings and being proactive about safety during all interactions. Educating clients about the verification process may also help them feel more comfortable with the safety measures in place.
A Growing Trend in Agent Safety
MIBOR’s integration of FOREWARN reflects a larger trend within the real estate industry to embrace technology for enhancing safety. Other real estate organizations, including the San Diego Association of REALTORS® and the California Association of REALTORS®, have also started adopting similar technologies, promoting safety standards across the country. This increasing awareness around safety is essential, especially as technology continues to change the landscape of real estate.
Conclusion: A Step Toward a Safer Real Estate Environment
MIBOR’s adoption of FOREWARN represents an important step in the right direction for agent safety. By offering agents access to this technology, the association is not only prioritizing their members’ safety but also setting an example for other industry organizations to follow. As real estate professionals continue to face security challenges, the use of tools like FOREWARN will be essential in mitigating risk, improving safety, and fostering a more secure working environment.
By integrating tools like FOREWARN, agents can focus on their work with greater peace of mind, knowing that they have the necessary resources to ensure their safety and protect themselves from potential threats.
