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This is for real so take notice.  If it pertains to you - take action.

You can check out this story from the Channel 10 News.

 http://www.10news.com/news/13962225/detail.html

 

In San Diego, CA there is a crew of scam artists who have come up with a pretty quick way to make money.  They have someone with MLS access search for vacant homes that are accessed by combo lock-boxes.  

They post the home on Craigslist or other home rental sites and meet the 'mark' at the listed home.  They take the first month, last month and security deposit from the people and are never heard from again.

Their cover has been blown in San Diego so it is thought they are moving north.  I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes common across the country.

Currently in the SOCAL MLS there are 3.359 listings using combo lock-boxes.  Just think of the potential liability.

If this is you.  Take your combo out of the MLS and Get an electronic lock-box.

 

Hope this helps. 

 

 

Adam Brett
RE/MAX NOC
Fullerton, CA
714.496.8116
800.977.ADAM
realtoradam@gmail.com
www.realtoradam.com
http://activerain.com/realtoradam

 

Adam Brett
The Adam and Eric Team
The Adam and Eric Team
Orange County Real Estate
Tel: 714.496.8116 |  Fax: 714.849.5798
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13 Comments on Beware the Rental Scam

AUG
30
2007
1 Featured Post

You'll get a fine in the Tampa Bay area if you place the lockbox combination code in the remarks section.

Great heads up though.  THey always find new ways to scam people.
6:49pm • #1
9 Featured Posts
That's just incredible...and a great shame. I'd hate to think of how that person feels when they find out they've been scammed.
7:00pm • #2
AUG
31
2007
Thanks for sharing the information. Sharing and disseminating information is one of our best weapons against criminals.
6:15am • #3
1,037,669 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Thank you for the post I  do not put the code in mls. We have electronic lockboxes most of the time but I will alert other agents if I see them do it.
8:57am • #4

Great info Adam.  A lot of the REO properties I appraise have combo lock boxes.  I think it is ok to use them but not okay to post the combo in MLS. 

Problems like this are one of the reasons SoCal MLS started issuing a devise that issues a one time only code that you need each time you access the MLS.  That way agents and other users of MLS can't give out their password indisciminately giving access to unscrupulous individuals. 
11:51am • #5
293,614 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Which is why I HATE combo boxes and don't use myself.  Thanks for the heads-up.  People will always find a way to rip other off...it's too bad.
12:06pm • #6
1,480,497 Points 275 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
This exact thing happened to my parents when I was a little kid!  Some guys got the key to a really nice apartment in Louisville, KY, advertised it way below market, and collected deposits from a bunch of people.  This was in the late '40s. And they got caught and thrown into the slammer!  My parents had stopped payment on their check in time (it must have taken longer for them to clear back then).  Wow!  Some scams just never die!
5:19pm • #7
SEP
01
2007
146,174 Points Called Shot Master

If Realtors use combo lock's they should not place it in mls and when the agent has to show the property they will have to call the Realtor or there office and give there name so they will always have a list of people who went to viewed the property.  It takes nothing for the common crook to have a key made for the property, that is kind of scary!
1:18am • #8
778,296 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Adam:  Thank you for your post.  I will copy it and post it in my office.  But... I am very much surprised that there are so many combo lock boxes being used in what I assumed was an "up to date" market.  Why in the world would any Realtor continue to use combination lock boxes when the electronic ones are available and, as far as I know, pretty much fool-proof ?  Thank for sharing.  Karen Anne
1:44am • #9
What a horrible plot.  Hard to believe they can get away with it.
2:58am • #10
174,461 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog
In Austin people cant place the combo in the mls.  Personally I wish we got rid of combo lockboxes all together.
3:35am • #11
SEP
13
2007
394,997 Points Outside Blog

I just heard these people are moving up the coast.

Also, since the story broke a few copy-cats have been found in other states. 
1:27pm • #12
SEP
19
2007
455,928 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It is amazing what people will do to rip someone off.  A few years ago in Brevard County FL, someone was doing this exact same scam but on HUD houses.  They would take down all the signs and pretend they were the owner.  There is one HUD key that opens every HUD house in the entire state and everybody seems to have a copy of that key, not just brokers.
3:53pm • #13

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