As Online Applications Increase, TransUnion Finds Nearly 70% of Property Managers Concerned About Identity Theft and Online Fraud

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - June 16, 2016) - A new survey from TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) revealed how the growth of online rental applications has coincided with concerns of property managers about identity theft and online fraud.

TransUnion's survey found that more than half (56.5%) of property managers have experienced an increase in online applications in the past year while nearly seven in 10 (67.1%) respondents reported concerns about identity theft and online fraud.

TransUnion's nationwide survey was administered in May 2016 and included 163 property managers, the vast majority of whom manage more than 500 rental units. The survey findings are being released during the 2016 National Apartment Association Education Conference & Exposition in San Francisco.

"In today's online and mobile era, residents expect quick approvals and smooth application processes, but property managers must remain cognizant of the potential fraud threat," said Mike Doherty, senior vice president of TransUnion's Rental Screening Solutions Group. "Online rental application fraud is a growing problem. In order to quickly approve good residents, property managers must arm themselves with solutions that provide greater certainty and verify identities online and detect potentially fraudulent applicants."

TransUnion recently launched ResidentID to allow property managers to verify applicants' identities, evaluate the risk of a device used for an application and further evaluate any flagged applicant identities using text messages and targeted questions. In addition to providing greater certainty, the new solution seamlessly integrates with property managers' existing workflow and software and can be tailored to meet an individual property management companies' market and tolerance for risk.

According to the survey, nearly four in 10 (36.5%) property managers are not confident about the accuracy of residents' application information. "This is a significant number because the survey also revealed that about one in four property managers said the cost of evictions has increased when identity theft or online fraud has occurred," added Doherty.

Other key survey findings include:

• In the past year, eight in 10 (80.6%) property managers have increased rent on their rental units. Two in five (40%) property managers increase rents more than once per year, while half (51.9%) of the property managers increase rent once per year.
• Property managers ranked income and employment information as the most important technique for screening prospective residents, followed by criminal background checks, rental and eviction history and credit history.

"Credit history, prior rental payments and other screening techniques allow property managers to make smarter and better objective decisions on leasing to prospective residents," said Doherty. "As an emerging issue in the multi-family industry, property managers should pay additional attention to their online fraud and identity theft protocols to protect their business while allowing strong applicants through the rental application process faster."

For more information about ResidentID and other TransUnion rental screening solutions, please visit https://www.transunion.com/industry/property-management. Attendees of the 2016 National Apartment Association Education Conference & Expo can visit booth #4101 for more information.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

Information is a powerful thing. At TransUnion, we realize that. We are dedicated to finding innovative ways information can be used to help individuals make better and smarter decisions. We help uncover unique stories, trends and insights behind each data point, using historical information as well as alternative data sources. This allows a variety of markets and businesses to better manage risk and consumers to better manage their credit, personal information and identity. Today, TransUnion has a global presence in more than 30 countries and a leading presence in several international markets across North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Through the power of information, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies and families and safer communities worldwide.

We call this Information for Good. http://www.transunion.com/business

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