https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/05/20/13/54/open-house-2328984_1280.jpg As with any job that requires you to be alone with complete strangers in an isolated situation, there are going to sometimes be risks. Whether you're an Uber driver, a check-cashing cashier, or even a real estate agent. On many occasions, real estate agents are showing a property to someone who they don't know and they'll be doing it by themselves. This circumstance can leave them at risk and there have been many occasions where real estate agents have been violently victimized as a result. #### While working open houses alone, some real estate agents have been stolen from, others sexually assaulted, and some have even lost their lives due to an attack. It's a profession that you might not assume on the surface, has a lot of risk that comes along with it. And because of the reality surrounding the potential for victimization, it's prompted many real estate agents to consider taking extra precautions to ensure their safety. https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/09/09/15/25/key-2732312_1280.jpg Among those precautions are things like not wearing expensive jewelry or driving an expensive car, trying to minimize the chances of them being selected as a target. As well, some have started to partner and go along with someone else, conducting the business arrangement in a group setting, rather than a one-on-one situation. The majority of attacks take place in isolated homes and so being alone with the offender is going to bring about a greater potential of risk. And often, those who have been victimized have admitted that they *overlooked some warning signs* and *questionable behavior* of the offender. Some real estate agents have started carrying handguns to protect themselves, pepper spray, or other self-defense tools. And one area of tech that those in the industry think might prove to be incredibly beneficial in helping to decrease the chances of victimization, is biometric technology. https://media.giphy.com/media/ziQVZDpNBSV7G/giphy.gif Biometric identification might help to make the selling experience safer overall, say same in the industry, because it would enable a more secure customer experience. According to the CEO of one biometrics startup that's known as Clear, *Caryn Seidman-Becker*, biometric technology can allow for users to register their fingerprints so that they can skip the line, and use their fingerprint rather than pulling out their traditional methods of identification. ## Seidman-Becker claims that by using this technology that it's going to make the buying and selling home experience an overall better and more secure exchange. And it's not just for homes, Clear is hoping that it's users will be able to utilize this identification method to check an open house or go through security at a sports game or at some airport. There are still many people who are concerned about the risk of giving over their biometric information to other parties and for this reason, you won't find that everyone will be eager to scan their finger rather than pull out their passport or driver's license etc. Seidman-Becker insists that security is a top concern of theirs and that for right now they're working on just finger scans, but in the future their services will also include eye and facial scans. https://www.mysecuritysign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/clear-kiosk.jpg As far as biometric identification taking the place of traditional identification methods in the market, we've already got it making its way into various spaces. Facial recognition and biometric identification has already been tested at various airports around the US. Not only that, but fans have also been able to already use CLEAR's biometric identification tools at places like sports games, to achieve expedited security clearance into the game. It might not be that long from now, where the majority of travelers are going to be scanning their fingers and faces rather than reaching for a boarding pass, train ticket, or passport. Critics of CLEAR's procedures have called it unnecessary security theater. According to Bruce Schneier, who is a security expert from Harvard University, the entire process doesn't make much sense. Scheier says that organizations like CLEAR are protection rackets, this is because in circumstances like with sporting events, they are seemingly looking to *replace metal detectors* with biometric identification checks. The problem with metal detectors is obviously that they slow things down and so this alternative security option is an effort to try and streamline the crowds. But as far as ensuring safety, it still doesn't make much sense and isn't foolproof by any means. Pics: Pixabay Pixabay Giphy via mysecuritysign.com Sources: https://guardllama.com/the-concerning-rise-of-real-estate-agent-attacks/ https://www.inman.com/2018/01/25/icny-18-how-biometrics-could-make-real-estate-safer/ https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/iowa-real-estate-agent-murdered-in-model-home/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/guilty-verdict-in-kidnap-murder-of-real-estate-agent/ http://abcnews.go.com/US/real-estate-agent-survived-attack-man-showing-home/story?id=28865934 http://wsbt.com/news/local/realtors-emphasizing-safety-after-agent-attacked-in-south-bend https://www.inman.com/2017/11/01/squatter-attacks-real-estate-agent-with-a-rake-highlighting-risks/ https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/78ygga/yankee-stadiums-next-gen-security-tech-isnt-making-anyone-safer http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-stadium-security-spt-20170101-story.html http://www.thesleuthjournal.com/the-tsadhs-police-state-expands-to-biometric-iris-and-fingerprint-scans-at-airports/ https://www.airport-technology.com/features/complete-biometric-solutions-key-streamlining-airport-check-security/ ## Related Posts: #### Building A Biometric Database For An Entire Country https://steemit.com/technology/@doitvoluntarily/building-a-biometric-database-for-an-entire-country #### Mastercard Looking To Link Your Fingerprint To Your Credit Card https://steemit.com/money/@doitvoluntarily/mastercard-looking-to-link-your-fingerprint-to-your-credit-card #### Biometric Payment Solutions Growing In Popularity With Consumers https://steemit.com/technology/@doitvoluntarily/biometric-payment-solutions-growing-in-popularity-with-consumers