Real Estate • Checklist
5 Documents Real Estate Agents Should Always Redact Before Sharing
A quick reference guide for protecting client PII in every transaction.
You handle dozens of documents per transaction. Most contain sensitive information that doesn't need to be shared in full. Here are the five documents that deserve extra attention — and what to redact from each.
1. Bank Statements (Proof of Funds)
What to redact:
- Account numbers
- Routing numbers
- Transaction history
- Other account balances
- SSN (if shown)
What to keep visible: Client name, primary account balance, bank name, statement date
2. Tax Returns
What to redact:
- Social Security numbers
- Employer identification numbers
- Bank account numbers (for direct deposit)
- Spouse's information (if not on title)
What to keep visible: Income figures relevant to qualification, client name, tax year
3. Pay Stubs
What to redact:
- Full SSN (last 4 is usually sufficient)
- Bank account for direct deposit
- Deductions that reveal health conditions
- Employee ID numbers
What to keep visible: Gross income, employer name, pay period dates
4. Pre-Approval Letters
Often these are fine as-is, but some lenders include more than necessary.
What to redact:
- Loan account numbers
- Full SSN
- Specific lender contact details (to prevent fraud)
5. ID Documents
Driver's licenses and passports should almost never be shared in full.
What to redact:
- Driver's license number
- ID number
- Signature
- Physical characteristics (height, weight)
What to keep visible: Name, photo, enough to verify identity
The Principle
Ask yourself: Does this person need this specific piece of information to do their job?
If the answer is no, redact it. It takes seconds and eliminates liability.
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