Sharing Access Codes and Passwords has serious consequences
The introduction of Scout for SAFEMLS as RAHB’s authentication system for the MLS® System has given RAHB the ability to document occasions when members’ login credentials (their access codes and passwords) are being used by more than one person. This is important because RAHB’s Rules and Regulations very clearly state that no one but the registered user is entitled to use their login credentials to gain access to the MLS® System. (All pertinent rules and regulations can be found in Section 7 – MLS® data and other board publications of the RAHB Bylaw, and was also referenced in the article “Scout Remediation: What is ‘Scout Remediation’ and what is it remedying” in last month’s REALinfo.)
Scout provides a “remediation” process – an automated seven-step program to ensure that members whose login credentials have been shared are made aware that only registered users of RAHB’s MLS® System can access the System and that every user – member, assistant, office administrator – must have their own login credentials.
The first six steps of the remediation process – a combination of password changes, email notices and one-time password use – provide ample information to make the user aware sharing login credentials is inappropriate and there are consequences for doing so.
Those members who after six steps of the remediation process and without a change in their practice of sharing their login credentials, will find themselves at step seven, an email advising they are suspended from using the MLS® system. With that suspension comes a meeting with the Compliance Committee and referral to the Professional Standards Committee and the Discipline Committee.
The consequences of sharing login credentials are serious. The user’s access to the MLS® System is immediately suspended and remains suspended until the matter is dealt with by the Professional Standards Committee and Discipline Committee. That could take months, depending on the case load of the committees.
The Discipline Committee also has the authority to penalize the user, with penalties ranging from a fine of not less than $500 but not more than $25,000, to termination of RAHB membership. (For full details of penalties, refer to RAHB Bylaw, Article 9 – Professional Standards/Discipline, Section 16 – Decision and Penalties.)
The moral of the story? DO NOT SHARE YOUR LOGIN CREDENTIALS WITH ANYONE. If your assistant or office administrator needs access to the MLS® system on your behalf, that person must contact RAHB and receive his or her own login credentials. If you suspect someone has been using your access code and password, contact the MLS® Department at RAHB to avoid entering into remediation.