Special offer
Home > Blogs > Marte Cliff > The Real Estate Copywriting Blog
bookmark_border

Scam alert - Did you get this today too?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Scammers really should check their lists before they send their mail.

If they're sending it to people who can't possibly have a real estate listing, it's ascam lie. That means there HAS to be some ulterior motive for sending it.

That makes it scary to me, and my bet is that hundreds of real estate agents got this same message. If I was still an agent, I just might have fallen for it.

Here's what it said:

 

Your real estate listing was featured in today's News Digest International (www.newsdigest.co).

 

We look forward to hearing from you again in the future!

 

Sincerely,

 

Lisa Davis
News Digest International

Since I haven't held a real estate license now for about 7 years...

I definitely didn't click to see where it would take me and my efforts to "look behind" the address to see the actual link were not successful. (Did I mention, I'm no techie. I was afraid to "copy link location" for fear I'd end up somewhere dangerous.)

Comments(64)

Subscribe to Comments Comment
Submit
Show All Comments
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Inna - I so agree with you. Just think of the good things that could happen if everyone used their mind power toward creating good things!

Unfortunately, the answer to your question is yes - some people really do think that something that looks too good to be true can be true. There are many levels of intelligence in this world.

Mar 05, 2013 04:42 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Thanks dear Marte for your message and comments. I just posted a blog about my recent experience here. It is for members only, since it is only for realtors and i'm curious if other realtors had such customized...scam.

 

 

 

Mar 05, 2013 05:04 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Inna - That's an interesting email. And I'm sure that an agent or two will respond...

Mar 05, 2013 05:55 AM
Anonymous
R Powell

I am a staff worker in higher education. I got a similar email. Seems as if they're running out of real estate agents to send this to:

Good morning!

We wanted you to know that you and your department were honored in today's Academic Achievement Awards, recognizing students who have recently demonstrated academic success and the faculty and staff who have helped along the way.

The complete article and recipient list is available at www.newsdigest.co/news/academia for on-demand viewing and download.

We wish you the best of continued success!

Sincerely,

Lisa Davis
News Digest International
http://www.newsdigest.co

 

Apr 10, 2013 12:49 AM
#48
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Marte, Lisa Davis form www.newsdigest.co is getting creative...I just receive an email that said that I and my brokerage just was recognized in an article for outstanding results in the real estate industry! DELETE! And I did.

Apr 18, 2013 04:30 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

So - you've both heard from Lisa! I wonder if there's a real person named Lisa Davis?

The last couple of days I've been getting mail from someone who doesn't want me to know who they are or what website they represent - but want me to click to update my password. OR - I can "click here" to unsubscribe.

No thanks - not clicking either of those links. DELETE!

Apr 18, 2013 04:59 AM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

Marte,

I can see that this phishing scam has been around for a while, judging by your blog post. I just got it today and instead of clicking the link, did a search for it. Your blog was the first thing that came up! Yeah, AR!

Apr 18, 2013 06:08 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Monica - Thanks for sharing that good news. We all need to be alert for scammers. Even if those links hold no danger, they don't deserve to be rewarded.

Apr 18, 2013 06:27 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I've never heard about this one. yucks. It seems like the more we rely on technology the more it has the ability to harm us.  I will definitely have my eyes open for any text messages from marketers. Thanks for heads up.

Apr 23, 2013 03:47 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Inna - As long as they're just trying to sell something they're only annoying. I worry about the ones who have a more evil intent.

Apr 24, 2013 01:26 AM
Anonymous
Phuong Le

Got the same message from Lisa Davis as all of you and the first thing came to my mind is: this must be a scam, and voila_ - your site came up on Google. Thank you all!

May 07, 2013 06:17 PM
#55
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Phuong - Thanks for sharing. Lisa Davis certainly is active!

I've gotten a few others lately that were for real estate agents - leading me to believe that the scammers are simply gathering names from Active Rain without looking to see if the person is an agent or not.

Another scary one lately has been coming from "Pay Pal." It warns that my account is about to be closed, so "click here." I think that one could be dangerous.

Yet another tells me that they've been unable to deliver my package... what package?

May 08, 2013 03:43 AM
Anonymous
Mark in Seattle

Thanks a lot for this discussion - I also found it via a Google search.

I work in the nonprofit sector, and got the following (did not click on their links):

Good morning!

We wanted you to know that you received Honorable Mention in yesterday's article titled "Who's Who in Local Communities" by Stephen Bozanek, recognizing individuals and businesses who have recently contributed to improving their local communities.

The article will remain available at www.newsdigest.co/news/communities/ for the next few hours and is available for on-demand download and printing.

We wish you the best of continued success.

Sincerely,

Lisa Davis
News Digest International
http://www.newsdigest.co

Jun 30, 2013 03:59 PM
#57
Liz Lockhart
Riverbend Realty, Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau, MO
GRI, Cape Girardeau Real Estate

I just got it.

Good morning!

We wanted you to know that you received Honorable Mention in yesterday's article titled "Who's Who in Local Communities" by Stephen Bozanek, recognizing individuals and businesses who have recently contributed to improving their local communities.

The article will remain available at www.newsdigest.co/news/communities/ for the next few hours and is available for on-demand download and printing.

We wish you the best of continued success.

Sincerely,

Lisa Davis
News Digest International
http://www.newsdigest.co

 

Follow the link and you get nothing that resembles the promised article. Scam, for sure.

Jul 11, 2013 05:16 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Mark and Liz - You have to wonder about their purpose in sending these. Do they think you'll go to their page and spend money? 

Jul 11, 2013 06:19 AM
Anonymous
Sara

Came to read the article, but your web page is a mess with type overlapping and photos out of place. Just thought you'd want to contact your page designer.

Jul 17, 2013 03:58 PM
#60
Anonymous
Sara

And then... after submitting my comment, the page reloads and it clear. Still might want to look into it...

Jul 17, 2013 03:59 PM
#61
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Sara - I don't know where I'd look, since this is the Active Rain platform. Sometimes it does get wonky. 

Jul 17, 2013 05:49 PM
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Natick, MA
Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

Lisa Davis is alive and well.  She is now sending emails to agents that haven't worked for me for over 5 years, have moved out of state and may not even be licensed.  But, according to newsdigest.co, this agent is being recognized for "outstanding service."  What a load of dog doo doo.

Nov 06, 2013 12:59 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

What is newsdigest.co? And why are they so full of dog droppings? 

Nov 08, 2013 03:40 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?