An agent recently notified us of a scam that appears to be widespread, reaching all the way from New Hampshire to Oregon and now to our own doorstep — or cellular devices.
The circumstance started with a phone call from a private number, stating they were “Lieutenant ____” with the Meridian Police Department. The caller stated there was a warrant out for the agent’s arrest for failure to appear and contempt in court. The caller went on to say the agent would go to jail for 72 hours if $1,800 in bail was not paid immediately. The caller was thorough in their research (finding the Lieutenant’s badge number, the agent’s place of business, and more), making the call believable up to the point of the money request being made.
We’ve confirmed with the Meridian Police Department: Bail money demands would never be made by phone call.
The Meridian Police Department has faced an uptick in similar calls which prompted them to post on social media on January 28th with the following warnings for the public:
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- [The Meridian Police Department] will NEVER call to inform you of a warrant or demand payment over the phone.
- Law enforcement will not request sensitive information, payment via phone, gift cards, crypto or wire transfers.
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact [your local police] department directly to verify.
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BRR and the Meridian Police Department recognize the importance of education so our members can avoid falling victim to scams like these. We’ve partnered to host an event on March 13th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Boise Regional REALTORS® focused on highlighting potential safety risks for real estate agents. Topics will include crimes of opportunity, safety tips for showings, and a dive into various scams occurring in our local community.
This worthwhile event will help you remain safe in your daily business while also educating you on scams that could affect loved ones. Register here or call 208-947-7238 to register.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM THE MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT:
