Tech experts have warned that fraudsters are using Artificial Intelligence to create fake documents. Here’s what landlords need to know.
The news is currently awash with stories about the marvels of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Unfortunately, however, there is a downside to this technological tsunami – one that will concern landlords.
Some of the earliest adopters of AI are fraudsters who are utilising its capabilities for illegitimate purposes.
A recent article by Forbes raised the alarm. It cited cybersecurity experts who say criminals are using ChatGPT’s new image generation tools to create convincing fake passports, driver’s licences and documents.
These claims were put to the test by Polish engineer and researcher Borys Musielak.
He discovered, as he explained in a LinkedIn post, that he could create a credible replica of his passport, which would pass many security checks.
And it only took him five minutes.
Implications for landlords
Landlords have always needed robust reference and credit check processes.
But now, perhaps more than ever, there’s no room for complacency.
In our experience, when things go wrong, it’s not because landlords have failed to carry out any tenant screening checks at all.
It’s that they didn’t scrutinise documents and references as rigorously as they should.
Sometimes, it’s because someone they know – maybe a mate or colleague – has vouched for a potential tenant.
Other times, there’s a sense that the clock is ticking. With an empty property and bills to pay, they want to get a tenant in quickly, so they don’t ask enough questions.
Tips for landlords
While ID checks are critical (and, for the reasons mentioned above, they need to be thorough), they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
It’s important that landlords also look closely at a tenant’s credit history (including their track record on paying bills on time, and if they have any county court judgements).
You should also request references from previous landlords and the tenant’s current employer.
Never take these at face value. Follow up with your own checks by, for example, contacting the employer yourself to ensure everything is above board.
While technology has its place, there’s no substitute (at least not yet) for human interaction and curiosity.
If you’re a landlord who would like to know more about our property management and tenant screening processes, call us today.
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