Rules & Regulations
News and Spotlights: Unauthorized Access
Why You Must Never Share Your NorthstarMLS User ID and Password
September 24, 2007: An agent recently shared his user name and password with a photographer so that the photographer could not only take the photo, but also upload it to NorthstarMLS. Occasionally, we hear that an agent shared their MLS password with a client. Both of these actions are in violation of RMLS rules and subject to a $1000 fine. User accounts are approved for one individual and should not be shared with anyone.
Unauthorized access puts the system security at risk and, potentially, our customers. User names and passwords should not be shared with anyone; co-workers, family, friends, technology vendors or clients.
The MLS is a core asset of the real estate industry. If unapproved persons access the MLS, they are stealing the data that you provide and pay for. The consequences of unauthorized access include data harvesting for solicitation, disgruntled former staff altering data, viewing of sensitive showing information, and targeting of vacant property for theft or vandalism.
Protect your asset. Do not share your user name and password with anyone.
Beware of Third Parties Seeking Unauthorized Access to MLS Data
AAA Movers Soliciting REALTORS® into
Providing Unauthorized MLS Access/Information
January 27, 2004: RMLS reminds agents to not disseminate MLS data or MLS
access to unauthorized parties. An agent was recently fined $1,000 for providing
MLS data to a moving company so the mover could send flyers to sellers. RMLS
realized the violation when, less than four hours after an RMLS staff member
entered a test listing in MLS, the moving company sent an email to the staff
member congratulating him on the new “listing” and encouraging
him to use their moving company.
RMLS is reviewing legal options against AAA Movers, a moving company in Brooklyn Park, for soliciting REALTORS® to obtain unauthorized access to MLS data for marketing efforts. At this time, only one agent has been found to have provided the information. But several other agents have come forward with knowledge of AAA Movers requesting MLS data from other MLS subscribers, or that they have received emails from AAA Movers in regards to their sellers’ listings.
Section 11.2 of the RMLS Rules and Regulations defines authorized use of MLS data. “Participants, and those persons affiliated as licensees with such Participants, shall be permitted to display the MLS Compilation or portions thereof to prospective purchasers only in conjunction with their ordinary business activities of attempting to locate ready, willing and able buyers for the properties described in the MLS compilation.” In other words, MLS data may only be used to display listed property and find properties meeting the needs of buyers. It may not be distributed to persons who are not entitled to receive MLS access, or for purposes not related to displaying real property for sale or finding property to meet buyers’ needs.
MLS subscribers can display Sold and Comp Sold data for unsolicited mass mailings to farm areas, as outlined in the Sold Data Listing Policy (see section III of the Helpful Guide to RMLS Rules (pdf)). If you have any questions regarding unauthorized use of MLS data or any other MLS rules issue, please contact Hugh Trimble (651-251-3205, htrimble@northstarmls.com) of the RMLS Rules & Regulations Department.