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Columbus REALTORS® Fraud Warning: Better Business Bureau warns of another type of wire fraud Your BBB wants local businesses to beware of a new twist on a wire transfer scam that has popped up in neighboring states and could be headed toward Central Ohio. So far, landscaping, electrical and tree service contractors have been contacted in neighboring states. Here are the reports BBB has received: A “customer” calls a landscaping, electrical or tree service contracting business claiming to be an out-of-state client who owns a local property. The “customer” offers to pay upfront with a credit card, but explains that another contractor for a different type of work has also been at the property but could not accept credit cards, so they were unable to pay them. They offer to pay you the amount for your work with some extra money, asking for you to pay the other contractor for them by wiring the money to them. After processing the full amount on the card and wiring the money, businesses were contacted by the credit card company stating that the card was stolen and the charges were reversed, leaving the businesses out the wired money. Other businesses found that the card number was declined. The “customer” responded by asking them to try other credit card numbers they had on hand that were also most likely stolen. Do not be afraid to ask questions. If an out-of-town client who is not willing to meet you in person seems suspicious, they most likely are. Meeting the client beforehand face-to-face and doing a walk-through of the work that needs to be done is a good way to build trust on both ends. Trust your gut in high pressure situations. It can be tempting to take a credit card upfront if someone is willing, but ask yourself “Why the rush?”, especially with a contracting job. A business’s comfort level is just as important as the consumer’s. Talk it over. If a job seems strange, like a client asking you to pay one of their other contractors, talk it over with your colleagues or call your BBB at 614-486-6336 for assistance. Business owners and consumers can visit BBB Scam Tracker to see which scams are near you.
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Crime Alert: Fraudulent Buyers Two separate member brokerages (involving a total of four affected agents) have reported that a couple, Amber Taylor and Colton MacGregor, currently residing in Somerset, Ohio, looking at homes in the $300,000 to $600,000 price range, had written fraudulent contracts on two different properties (one in Athens and the other in Hocking County). Once in contract, the buyer’s produced fictitious proof of funds in the form of a fake e-mail posing as a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor. When the agents were unable get in contact with anyone listed in the initial e-mail to verify funds, the prospective buyers apologized and said they sent the wrong contact info and sent new Merrill Lynch info. After contacting the second Merrill Lynch rep, they had no knowledge of the clients or the financial advisor that was listed in the second e-mail. These individuals sell a story about the male having only months to live and are spending his retirement money for a home to pass away in peace. They are clever at establishing trust with the agents. In the first fraudulent instance, the prospective buyers had several conversations with the sellers about purchasing items in the home at closing. They even convinced one of the sellers to allow them to take a few antiques, prior to closing, without paying, of which they did. These fraudulent buyers do not have funds to purchase a home.
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Columbus REALTORS Will Open Late Friday, January 27 – 9:30am Columbus REALTORS® will open one hour late on Friday, January 27. Doors will open at 9:30am.
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Holiday Schedule: Martin Luther King Jr. Day The Columbus REALTORS association headquarters will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The association will open for normal business hours on Tuesday at 8:30am. Schedule:
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Crime Alert: E-mail fraud From Columbus REALTORS® Tricia Segnini with A-List Realty reported that after her closing on 1/9/17, she received an e-mail appearing to come from her broker (but did not) stating that she needed to transfer funds. Her closing wasn’t mentioned specifically in the e-mail, but she felt it may be what triggered the bogus e-mail, which did list her broker’s name and his correct e-mail address along with a fake e-mail address ceomailme@mail.com. Tricia wanted to make colleagues aware of this scam. Please report wire fraud complaints to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. This report and more details can be found here
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Columbus Realtors’ Offices Closing Early Friday, December 30 – 4PM Columbus Realtors’ offices will close at 4PM on Friday, December 30. CR offices will open for normal business hours on Tuesday, Jan 3rd, 2017 Schedule:
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Holiday Schedule: Christmas and New Year’s Columbus REALTORS® offices will be closed on the Monday following each of the holidays of Christmas and New Year’s. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on the Tuesday following each holiday, December 27 and January 3. Holiday Schedule: Monday, January 2 – Closed Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
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Columbus Realtors’ Offices Closing Early Friday, December 16 – Noon Columbus Realtors’ offices will close at noon on Friday, December 16 for the annual staff Christmas party. CR offices will open for normal business hours on Monday. Schedule:
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MLS Committee Election Results for 2017 Congratulations to our newly elected MLS Committee members for 2017: Representing the 101-500 Listing Category Representing the 1001-3000 Listing Category
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Crime Alert: Using Vacant Property for Package Delivery A vacant home in Dublin was being used as a shipping address by criminals who had stolen the identity of someone and were having their purchases sent to the house. The police are involved. Please take care to protect property/listings that are vacant. In addition to making sure all doors and windows are properly closed and locked, check on the property regularly. You can also notify neighbors and/or the police to keep an eye on the property.
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