Another crazy story for us to highten the awareness and hopefully prevent things like this from happening in the future...

LAKELAND -- Walking through an unlocked door, the victim thought the man already inside was a legit customer.

But within minutes, the client she had talked to on the phone hours before revealed he was part of a dangerous duo.

"She had been tied up and had a knife to her throat," said Bethany Barlow, the victim's daughter.

Barlow told us the attack came as soon as her mother turned her back.  She says the two men threatened the realtor's life, then tied her up and locked her in the laundry room of the home on South Boulevard Tuesday afternoon.

After waiting for her attackers to leave, the victim escaped through the back door.

"They're dangerous people," said Ryan Barlow, the victim's son.  "No matter what they looked like or what they used, they were definitely threatening.  They need to be caught."

Lakeland Police are now tracking the bad guys by tracking the times they've tried to use credit cards they stole from the victim.  Investigators are now warning other realtors to be wary of supposed clients who could be crooks.

"They should let people in their offices know when they go on calls, it's better to be safe than be sorry," Lakeland Police spokesperson Jack Gillen said.

It's a crazy world out there.....be careful friends!!

 
Posted by Donna Henry on 04/10/2008 02:03 AM   Comments (16)   realtor safety  
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Post is included in group: Realtor Safety

16 Comments on Realtor robbed during fake appointment

APR
10
2008
Thats terrible!  Thanks for the warning.
2:15am • #1
It so is....you hate to be paranoid when going on showings but these stories naturally create that underlyng feeling, be careful!
2:17am • #2
362,046 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp

Thank you for the nudge.  

 

2:46am • #3
966,376 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Donna:  Thank goodness that was all that happened.  It really is not paranoia... it is the simple realization that not everyone in the world comes from a place of "goodness."  Even in the past... it was never a good idea to meet a client you had never met before... especially when a female Realtor is meeting a man at some "remote" place.  Thanks so much for sharing, and for bringing happenings like this back to our awareness.
2:47am • #4
243,011 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I'm with Karen - Thank God that all they did was rob her.  That could have turned out much, much worse.  It's just another example of how we all need to better protect ourselves when we're in the field.  An ounce of prevention...
3:45am • #5
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
We all can't be careful enough. You just never know when something like this might happen.
4:22am • #6
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This is another story that is becoming all too familiar.  We all need to make sure we are aware of our surroundings at all times!  Thank God the agent is OK.
4:30am • #7
542,310 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
As a broker with an agent who was tied up and robbed, I will write what I wrote to every agent in our mls.  There is no money worth dying for and it can happen to anyone. This can happen to anyone - male or female.......... Follow the safety rules and if you won't do it for yourself, do it for your friends and family and your broker.......
5:03am • #8
629,905 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank God the agent is ok!  I agree with Laura it is becoming an all too familiar topic.  Let's focus on our personal safety everyday.  Thank you for the alert.

Don R.
5:06am • #9
Pack some heat with you..
5:44am • #10
118,236 Points Outside Blog
Safety is an concern that we need to be very mindful of. I share Don's thoughts. Thank God the agent was not seriously hurt or murdered.
6:03am • #11

When will RE agents learn?

I am sorry that this agent had a scary dangerous experience, but shame on her for meeting the client stranger at the property without an office visit first.
Consumer
7:10am • #12
730,389 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Safety must be our utmost concern in today's day and age. Here are some recommendations:

  • Never, never meet anyone at a property.
  • Always have them come into the office and ask to make a copy of their drivers license.
  • Leave the copy of their drivers license at the front desk and tell the Duty Agent where you are going.
  • Have a code word system set up in your office. If you feel you are in an uncomfortable situation make an excuse to call your office and give the code word. This will tell the Duty Agent to immediately call 911.
  • Carry pepper spray with you.
  • Take a self defense course for real estate agents.

Good Post, Keep Safe!
8:53am • #13
1,912,304 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Yikes!  We should really take the advice to never, ever meet anyone you don't know at a house, unless you have an armed bodyguard!  I have Thomas, the office hunk with rippling muscles and a "don't mess with me" attitude if I have any doubt about a client - and that would be after meeting the client!
10:02am • #14
1,912,304 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Yikes!  We should really take the advice to never, ever meet anyone you don't know at a house, unless you have an armed bodyguard!  I have Thomas, the office hunk with rippling muscles and a "don't mess with me" attitude if I have any doubt about a client - and that would be after meeting the client!
10:03am • #15
I need a Thomas the hunk to bring with me now too!  thanks for all of your great comments!  I think awareness and prevention are the key to combatting these creeps!
3:55pm • #16


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