Trust Stamp, an identification authenticity tool that leverages artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies to verify prospective clients’ identities, is now available to REALTORS® free of charge as part of the National Association of REALTORS®’ investment in the startup through its Second Century Ventures technology fund.
The tool is intended to improve the safety of real estate professionals, using software that scours public records, social media profiles, and other sources of information to present a “trust score” for prospective clients. Such a verification process reduces the risks posed by meeting prospects in the field. “Safety for our members is a top concern, and this is another great tool that REALTORS® can use to protect themselves,” 2018 NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall said in a statement.
NAR first invested in Trust Stamp in 2016 as one of eight companies that participated in NAR’s REach tech accelerator program, which helps startups develop innovative real estate products. NAR CEO Bob Goldberg said the association’s second investment in Trust Stamp, announced last week during the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Chicago, reinforces his vision for NAR to partner with technology companies that can help change the real estate industry. In a video announcing the second investment, Goldberg sat down with Trust Stamp CEO Andrew Gowasack to discuss the product’s value to real estate pros.
Trust Stamp users can add other information to boost a prospect’s trust score, which can then be shared with colleagues and other real estate offices, though the personal details behind the score remain private and stay under the user’s control. Despite the added level of protection offered by the tool, Trust Stamp cofounder Gareth Genner reminds real estate pros that common-sense safety practices are still paramount on the job. “While there is nothing that can displace sensible precautions, we hope that [Trust Stamp] will reinforce the need to use a thoughtfully designed safety process,” he said in a statement.
Learn more about this opportunity at
truststamp.net/re. REALTORS® can enter their NRDS number when they sign up for the product to receive the free tool.
—REALTOR® Magazine
