“ What’ s the most reliable, end-to-end way to spot fake documents, verify identity and income in real time, and approve the right tenant fast, without slipping up on FICA?”
Question
“ What’ s the most reliable, end-to-end way to spot fake documents, verify identity and income in real time, and approve the right tenant fast, without slipping up on FICA?”
Answer by Ross Fitzcharles
Tenant fraud isn’ t theoretical anymore; it’ s widespread. The fix is a standardised, data-verified, AI-assisted process that removes guesswork and“ gut feel.” Here’ s how we do it at Preferental:
1. Digital application & consent Send a secure link. The applicant uploads ID, payslips, bank statements and gives POPIA / FICA consent. No paper. No WhatsApps.
2. Real-time verification( no phone tag)
• ID match with Home Affairs
• Employment & income cross-check with SARS
• Credit behaviour via TPN and Experian( judgments, arrears, payment patterns)
3. AI bank-statement forensics We scan PDFs for edits, mismatched totals and manipulation artefacts. If something’ s been“ polished,” it’ s flagged immediately.
4. Affordability that matches reality We reconcile declared income vs actual deposits to the cent. Then we run rent-to-income and expense tests to avoid stretch scenarios.
5. Risk score you can act on The platform outputs a clear Low, Medium and High risk rating with reasons. Agents and landlords can approve or decline in minutes— not days.
6. FICA done by design Every supporting document and step is stored, time-stamped and downloadable for compliance. No shoe- box admin, no missing files.
7. Close the affordability gap, safely With Deposit +, tenants can spread the deposit over up to 10 months, while landlords receive the full deposit upfront, plus cover for death, disability or retrenchment during the lease term.
Get started now https:// preferental. com /
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