Finding the right residents goes beyond filling vacant units — it’s about safeguarding the integrity and security of your community. With fraudulent applications on the rise, 70% of property management professionals in the 2025 AppFolio Benchmark & Performance Survey reported seeing an increase in fraud attempts in the past year.*
Relying on outdated or inconsistent screening methods can make it increasingly difficult to separate legitimate applicants from those trying to deceive you. Read on to learn how you can mitigate your exposure to fraud and protect your community with FolioScreen™ Trusted Renter.
While this guide contains helpful information, we are not providing legal advice. You should consult a qualified attorney for any specific questions about fair housing and resident screening for your business.
*Based on AppFolio’s 2025 Benchmark & Performance Survey of 604 property management professionals; full survey available February 2025
Category: FolioScreen™ Trusted Renter
Last modified: January 28, 2025
By: lIana Rosen
Resident screening is one of the most complex components of property management. From verifying IDs and income to confirming credit and rental history, resident screening serves as a preventive measure against fraud and any consequences that may arise from it.
According to a 2024 National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) survey, 70% of respondents reported they experienced identity theft, fraudulent ID documents, or the use of another individual’s personal information. With such significant risks associated with screening, it’s crucial to implement effective tools and processes to mitigate your exposure.
Fraudulent activity by “bad actors” can involve deceptive tactics such as forged pay stubs, stolen identities, or falsified references to bypass screening processes. These fraudulent applicants may have histories of evictions, criminal activity, or other warning signs that could jeopardize the safety and stability of your community. Recognizing and addressing these indicators early on is crucial for protecting your properties and earning the trust of your residents.
A clear and consistent screening process safeguards your communities while fostering a fair experience for all applicants. Consider these three strategies to help you attract qualified residents and minimize risks:
By introducing advanced technology to automate data verification, you can ensure a more accurate and efficient screening process.
We understand the importance of resident screening in ensuring a smooth and successful rental experience. FolioScreen™ Trusted Renter offers a variety of comprehensive screening solutions that help you confidently approve qualified applicants while safeguarding your properties from potential risks. FolioScreen Trusted Renter combines advanced fraud detection tools to help you with fair housing compliance, and identify and combat fraud.
Our integrated platform streamlines your entire leasing process, from prospect to resident, making approvals quick and easy. This means that your team can make informed decisions quickly and approve residents quickly with clear, easy-to-read reports.
Don’t let one fraudulent application lead to hefty losses in rent and eviction fees. With our new FolioScreen ID Verification feature, you can gain consistent and powerful insights to spot and stop fraudulent applicants before they impact your community’s safety, well-being, and bottom line.
ID Verification can assist you in spotting and stopping fake applicants by quickly validating an applicant’s identity in real-time by confirming three key questions:
Eliminate the time your teams spend on collecting and authenticating pay stubs, reducing fraud and bad debt with Income Verification. Our FolioScreen Income Verification feature provides insight into whether an applicant can consistently afford their monthly rent. Applicants can verify their income in one of three ways by either:
Additionally, FolioScreen Trusted Renter offers a variety of reliable screening solutions to help you select qualified residents while protecting your properties from fraud and assisting in creating compliant processes:
With the rise of fraud in property management, there’s no room to leave your properties vulnerable. With the right measures in place, you can protect your business and maintain peace of mind for your business to thrive.
Take control of your resident screening process with FolioScreen Trusted Renter. Sign up now for a free customized demo and see how FolioScreen Trusted Renter can help you increase leasing efficiency and manage fraud.