Most people laugh when they hear about the scams that are taking place all over the net. These scammers are hitting...Craigslist...Facebook...and even Flickr and today...I got one from one of my Careerbuilder alerts. I've personally had several through all of these sources...fortunately I spend a lot of time on line...but what about those that do not?
I truly do not find it funny.....because so many fall victim.....we have to understand not everyone is a genius or have the basic understanding that most real estate industry professionals have when it comes to buying a home, selling a property or even requesting information on a rental.
A few statistics you should think about before making prejudgments on those who fall for these schemes...I live in an area...where many homeowners do not use the Internet at all!
- Did you know only 74.4 % of North America uses the Internet? That means there is a good chance some who search for properties on line...may do very little searching...as a matter of fact...they may use the Internet rarely and may not be aware of these schemes.
- 12 million people in the U.S. still use dial up according to www.rlslog.net! Have you tried to use dial up recently? Its hard to get information and really truly does not work well nor give a great experience on line.
- In many rural areas...broadband is not available still!
Today while going through my comments I found something quite interesting and thanks to Dave Dugdale...there is a software to detect whether you might be falling for a scheme...The Rental Scam Detection Tool! I went ahead and tested and I think it is a fabulous tool for those who might fall prey.
Very basic and very easy to use but specifics to look for when the schemers come scheming!
About The Author: Midori Miller is a Real Estate Trainer and writes and trains Real Estate Training and assists sellers in short sale situations. Midori is a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker , License # BK645709 and a member of the Daytona Area Association of REALTORS. Contact midorimiller@yahoo.com or (386)453-3236.
Hi Midori - thanks for the tip. Will go and try this new software out. Hope all is well by you...
Midori.
Thanks I will check out that software. It's true what you say and you don't have to be a fool to fall for a scam, that's for sure, scammers prey on emotion, and they ingrain truth in lies....that's how they are takers and make victims fall prey.
5.
Is the owner a missionary, reverend, or doctor?
- Yes
- No
4 questions remain"
HAHAHA! This is very cool . . . :) though some of the questions are common sense, I can see where many people could easily be duped.
I teach technology classes. It is always surprising to me when I hear people say that there is probably no one on dial-up any more. Obviously there are! That's why it's good manners to make sure someone has high speed before sending any large files . . .
This software may sound silly to us....
But the average Joe may not know any better! I usually laugh as well but I do know better. However it happened in our neck of the woods and was reported to the police.
My Dear,
Millions of scams...I keep getting one from my cable/Internet company...if I only supply them with my log in and password then they'll keep my account from being disabled...yeah right. I was able to actually track one down to Germany and they said they caught the guy.
Well most of us on AR are online alot, still doesn't help those that might get scammed. How to spread the word better?
Hi Lyn-the best way is when we talk to people who call in or email..warn them..if others post as well those searching online may come acrossed it. It just really disturbs me to see people get scammed. Not really sure how to hit the masses..we just have to know that many people are not aware of this. BTW there have been reports on the news from time to time about some of the scams.
Your URGENT assistance requested . . .
I am on a misson and the house is for rent. All want to have good tenant.
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Midori -- thank you SO much for posting this! I had my rental property used in a scam last November. Thanks to alert (potential) tenants who tipped me off to it. The ad was on Craigs List, and they saw the home TWICE! Once was my post, and then the scammer -- who just copied my ad and photos. Of course, he even used my name . . . called himself BEN CARLA, and he was a missionary in Nigeria, had a Yahoo! email address . . . yup. It was all a fake.
The Ben Carla wanted a ridiculously low monthly rent, but he wanted TWO MONTHS in advance, and that would have been close to $2,000.
I'm hoping no one fell for that post, The address was taken from Rentals.com . . . and I will NEVER use that site again, because they require an address. (That's the problem with posting ADDRESSES on the world wide web!) Since I could NOT pull it -- delete it -- because I did not post it, I contacted Craigs List through their links, but I'm not sure if they did anything. I flagged, and flagged and asked the alert tenants to flag the ad as well. I also contacted my local police department.
This great, simple tool will be included in EACH ad I run! Also, I will put my phone number in the photograph, so if it's copied it will have the LOCAL phone number! THANKS again!!
* Jeannette -- thanks for the tip. The ad wasn't a listing, and wasn't in the RMLS.
Carla Becareful on putting your number on the photos, our local MLS does not allow that on the pictures. I would check before you do!
Midori Thanks for posting this and I will be reblogging it!!
That was very entertaining! It's sad that this is actually necessary,
Jeannette,
Good point.
Midori,
Thanks for the information, I'll check it out!
Scam Scam...everywhere a scam..think I will just cash my checks from Nigeria and move to Bali....Blog on Lady !
Right on time Midori! One of my rental listings recently became a target and a post was written regarding it. Now, this gadget which i just used is a neat little tool for those that use the Internet! I will find out from the author if we can have permission to link it on my website!
Thanks again for unselfishly GIVING to the viewership/readership/membership at Active Rain! I will feature this post under the Property Management group!
Diane
This is amazing, and to think we think it's bad that broadband isnt' available everywhere. Must be like when the telephone was just getting going or TV
Interesting link, thanks for the info.
Doug is a good guy and alweays on it when it comes to looking after the consumer/potential renter.