Special offer

Another Scam Hits Real Estate Agents . . . And the Public, too. Look Out for SYS INC.

By
Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

In early February, I warned you about a scam involving Craigs list. That scam seems to have reached epic proportions, since it's all over the Internet now. Several agents at my company have also had their identity stolen in this manner.

Well, just today I received my credit card statement. There was an unauthorized and unknown charge of $9.05 from SYS Inc. At first, I figured I would just pay it because it seemed too much of a hassle to track down, and I was certain I had authorized it. But on a lark, I Googled Sys Inc and it's phone number. I found a Web site that reported an abundance of abuse, and that's only from people who:

  • A) Took the time to Google
  • B) Figured out they had to Google the company name AND the phone number, and
  • C) Cared enough to post about it.

Here is the link to the scam from SYS Inc. 

Some victims said after they reported this to the CC company, they were charged thousands of dollars from Saudi Arabia.

I encourage everyone to check their credit card statements online to see if this has happened. Also, some victims had money automatically deduced from their checking accounts from online bill paying.

I have notified my local news station, reported it to the California Attorney General's office and filed an online police report.

If you have been victimized, immediately cancel your credit card and get a new account! The only places I have my credit card information stored are at online real estate businesses. Not saying that's where the crooks got it, but you never know.

elizabeth weintraub sacramento real estate agent

Posted by

elizabeth weintraub

 

 

Weintraub and Wallace Realtors

 

 

Elizabeth Weintraub reviews

 

 

 

Elizabeth Weintraub is co-partner of Weintraub & Wallace Team of Top Producing Realtors, an author, home buying expert at The Balance, a Land Park resident, and a veteran real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown, Carmichael and East Sacramento, as well as tract homes in Elk Grove, Natomas, Roseville and Lincoln. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put our combined 80 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at RE/MAX Gold. DRE License # 00697006.

Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of RE/MAX Gold. Disclaimer: If this post contains a listing, information is deemed reliable as of the date it was written. After that date, the listing may be sold, listed by another brokerage, canceled, pending or taken temporarily off the market, and the price could change without notice; it could blow up, explode or vanish. To find out the present status of any listing, please go to elizabethweintraub.com.

Comments(8)

Bob Schenkenberger
Colorado Realty Professionals - Greenwood Village, CO
Denver Real Estate
thanks for letting everyone know!  I often have small charges that I don't know what they were for, and assume it's legit.
Mar 12, 2008 02:55 PM
M Nonya
Vallejo, CA

And that was on Craigslist? OMG... I use CS all the time, infact I have just posted a proffesional grade Deep Freezer on there for sale. Anyway.. for some reason that does not suprise me. My friend had me go check out the singles section of CS and I found that they let Ladies of the evening post their ads on there. But then again it seems it is a free message board and anything is possible.

I am so sorry that you and your co-workers were violated in such away! Thanks for the tip, I will make sure I research everything and all things off of CS from now on!

~Melissa

Mar 12, 2008 02:56 PM
Jim Albano
Prudential Damiano Realty - Little Falls, NJ
Team - Jean-Marie Vantuno / Realtors North Jersey Real Estate
Thanks for the heads up! Their out there preying on the unsuspecting.
Mar 12, 2008 02:58 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

That's how they get you, Bob. Question and dispute those charges, for crying out loud. Next thing you know, you've financed an oil field in Saudi Arabia. 

Melissa: Always watch your back or hire somebody to do it for you. In this day and age, you never know.


Mar 12, 2008 02:58 PM
Colorado Real Estate - Christina
Colorado Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO
Thanks for this warning! I am going to be keeping a close eye on my statements!
Mar 12, 2008 02:59 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Elizabeth

What is it with some people? They just want to sink to new lows?

How bad is it in life when you have to think of ways to scam people.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Mar 12, 2008 04:10 PM
Jill Wente
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene - Spring, TX
Realtor, CRS, MCNE, CHMS
Elizabeth, I had not heard about this scam. I carefully review my credit card bills each month and dispute any charge that is not legitimate
Mar 13, 2008 06:15 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Life is pretty bad for a lot of people, Tom, in case you haven't noticed. And even when it's not that bad, desperate people and sleazy crooks still scam. I think this economy (and dare I say, recession?) brings it out ten-fold. It's going to get worse, much worse. You can't be too careful. Years ago, I laughed off this sort of thing. But I've had three scams that I've had to report in the past 30 days. None are related. Doesn't that worry you somewhat? Nobody is immune. 

Well, Mac users are somewhat. :)

elizabeth weintraub sacramento real estate agent

 

Mar 13, 2008 01:37 PM