My gmail account has also been hacked, Fraud Scheme Alert

My gmail account has also been hacked, Fraud Scheme Alert

 

Recently we read a blog by Debbie Reynolds telling us that her gmail account had been hacked. Many of us had received unusual email with an attachment from Debbie. This morning, several members of ActiveRain received the same suspicious email from me and advised me that my gmail account had been hacked. A Facebook friend reported an email that said I was in another part of the world and requested money.

Real estate professionals appear to be targets of hackers. All of us need to be alert. If use gmail, you may want to change your password before you are hacked. I changed my password and now I have computer problems as my Microsoft Office is no longer working. I wonder if members of ActiveRain are a convenient target for hackers.

This is a Fraud Scheme Alert that was distributed by GCAAR, our regional association.

Fraud Scheme Alert

We have recently become aware of a scheme plaguing REALTORS® and their clients.  Fraudsters are hacking REALTORS'® email accounts to learn about current transactions. They then send an email, from what appears to be a REALTOR'S® email address, to the holder of the deposit which directs them to wire the deposit to an account controlled by the hackers.    Please read this important information.     The scheme usually works as follows:  1.    The fraudster hacks a REALTOR'S®  account, which are often Gmail or  Hotmail.  2.    They search and monitor the email account for information  regarding upcoming closings. The hacker is looking for all details,  including the amount of the deposit, the names of the parties and  contact for the the Deposit Holder. 3.    Once they have all relevant information, the thief makes a move  for the deposit. 4.    The hacker opens a new email account and creates an address that  appears in every way to be genuine from the REALTOR. It shows the agent  as the sender, includes their normal signature and working links to the  REALTOR'S company website or any other social media outlets.  Often, the  email will have attachments related to the transaction that were copied  from the REALTOR'S emails (i.e., escrow disclosure and agreement,  purchase and sale contract, etc.). 5.    This email criminally directs the Deposit Holder to wire the  deposit to an entity that is owned by the fraudster. The name will  appear to be a legitimate closing or title agency office. 6.    Because everything appears to be correct, the Deposit Holder then  wires the funds to the fraudulent account. 7.    The deposit has now been stolen out of the Deposit Holder's  account and is GONE FOR GOOD. What can you and your clients do to avoid becoming a victim of this  scheme?     *  ALWAYS verify emails dealing with transferring funds out of your  accounts. Call other parties involved in the transaction. Use only  numbers you have used before or can otherwise verify. *  Do not use any phone number provided in the email directing you  to wire the deposit.  *  Exercise extra caution when wiring instructions; reference a bank  branch or entity that is located out of state.  *  Advise everyone of this scheme and ask them to be on the lookout  for responses to emails they have not sent. These may indicate that  their email accounts have been hacked.     Be alert!     GCAAR   8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Roy Kelley, a real estate broker since 1960, has retired from his position as Associate Broker with RE/MAX Realty Group in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The needs of past clients and referrals will be met by long time associates.