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Do Not Share Your MLS Credentials or Supra Key
Since kindergarten, we have all been taught to share. However, there are specific times when sharing is harmful, prohibited and can carry a significant penalty to those who are sharing.
Take for example a subscriber who is sharing MLS User IDs, passwords or Supra "keys". At face value, this may appear insignificant; however within the MLS this practice is considered harmful. These subscriber actions are prohibited and will lead to major fines and penalties as a direct consequence.
In most cases, the person who gives out his or her credentials or key is attempting to help a fellow real estate professional. They believe the person will keep their shared information secure, and use these credentials or access in a professional manner. What could go wrong? Plenty.
When you voluntarily give out your identification or access, any activity connected with that information becomes your responsibility. Property damage, physical injury or any other loss to another person or property falls squarely on your shoulders. Simply by leaving a door open or your ID logged into the service, you are creating an entryway for strangers and harmful behavior.
MLSListings can detect multiple attempted logins using a subscriber's user name and password. These "login violations" are reported by the minute and will be aggressively enforced. The first penalty for sharing credentials is a $500 fine. Any subsequent violation will result in an additional $1,000 fine and suspension of MLS access. Ultimately the penalty can increase to a complete loss of MLS service.
If you have a clerical user assisting your work, register that person with the MLS. It is inexpensive and eliminates the need to share your credentials.
Supra keys must never be given out under any circumstances, and service centers as well as the MLS impose substantial fines for those that share their access keys.
In the Supra Key Agreement, keyholders agree "[n]ot to loan the Key to any person, for any purpose whatsoever, or permit the Key to be used by any other person." The fine for unauthorized use of the Supra key is $1,000.
IMPORTANT! It is a violation of the Supra® Keyholder Agreement to lend or share your Supra® Key. SAMCAR will impose a FINE of $1,000 to anyone lending or sharing their key. ONLY the keyholder may use or be in possession of the key. |
Share your wisdom and experience, but do not share credentials or access.
