Southern Maryland Association Of Realtors

 

419 SCAM ALERT!   The popular online marketplace Craigslist and similar sites continue to be the targets of increasingly sophisticated scams involving real estate.  Most of these scams originate from overseas and target not only REALTORS®, but their clients as well.  Although not new, the 419 scammers have been persistent and more resourceful in recent months.  They are learning from their mistakes and getting better at their lies.    The scams include gleaning genuine real estate listing data from legitimate sources and reposting the data on Craigslist or similar sites as if the scammer were the seller.  The listing agent has no idea the property is even being offered in this way.  Both residential and commercial properties for sale have also appeared on these sites as if they were being offered as rentals.  419ers can also attack from the buyer's side by posing as buyers or interested renters living or travelling abroad and seeking a local property for school or work in the US.    The most telling characteristic of the scam is receiving a cashier's check, corporate check, or money order for more than the needed amount with instructions to cash it and wire back the balance to the crooks.  Of course, the checks are no good and the bank will hold the person cashing them responsible.  Beware of any transaction that involves wiring funds overseas or to a third party agent acting on behalf of a buyer too busy to deal with you directly.  ALWAYS wait for the check to clear before sending any funds back.  These people act without conscience and are persistent liars.   Don't be taken in.   Click here for more information and online resources available about the 419 scam.   Steuart Bowling Director of Technology and New Business Development Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS

 8440 Old Leonardtown Road, Suite 211, Hughesville, MD 20637
Phone: 301-870-2323 | Toll Free: 1-888-340-8727 | Fax: 301-870-2575