Members have reached out to us recently, asking us to bring awareness to a few scams that have continued to be an issue.
We previously reported on the following three scams and feel compelled to reshare the information for those who may have missed them:
- Nationwide Vacant Land Scam: This scam starts with a “prospect” reaching out to list a vacant property that is later revealed to not be their own. Unfortunately, scammer’s actions can result in wasted time, emotional turbulence for a buyer, and additional financial consequences. Protect yourself by practicing consistent identification processes (tips included in our Safety Alert).
- “WhatsApp” Hacking: Scammers pose as prospects and prefer communication solely through WhatsApp. Some fraudsters also send a “Google Voice Code” through text, hoping to hack into your WhatsApp account (which can be connected to your Facebook and Instagram, causing further damage to your online presence).
- Advertising/Marketing Scam: A marketing company — touting advertising with golf courses/associations — fraudulently charges large sums for services that were never rendered. Carefully verify licensing information and check consumer reviews when considering working with third parties. For additional tips, review our Safety Alert here.
It may not be obvious that what you’re dealing with is a potential scam. While it’s not uncommon for agents to help their clients remotely, it is important to verify that potential clients are who they say they are. Verification processes should be consistent with all clients.
The following could be clues that the potential client or affiliate isn’t who they say they are:
- Misspellings of key information such as names, businesses, and addresses;
- Sudden changes in voice or tone of the messages, especially invoking a sense of urgency;
- A change in the next steps or instructions that the customer is supposed to follow;
- Refusal to provide identifying information;
- Unusual attachments or links.
There are also safety tools and services available to agents to help them verify a person’s identity. Research tools that fit your business model and trust your instincts when working with new prospects. Protecting yourself and your business are the top priorities.
For more information on safety best practices, visit nar.realtor/safety or boirealtors.com/realtor-safety-resources. If you have a safety concern to share, please email me directly or call us at 208-376-0363. To receive text message alerts from BRR, including safety alerts, please opt-in to text messages here.
