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... No, I did not ask you for a Google-play gift card.

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

A little after 9:00 this morning, I had a flurry of texts, emails and phone calls.  The gist of all of that communication was that I had been hacked.

Somehow, someway someone had hacked their way into my email.  I am very careful not to click on unknown links, nor to respond to unknown emails, so I'm not sure how they managed it, but manage it they had.

Everyone in my recent address book, and anyone I had corresponded with (which includes agents, buyers, sellers, lenders, inspectors... etc...) going back to the days of the dinosaurs, received a very suspicious email or text from me informing them that I needed a favor.

Now, most people who know me know that I use the British spelling and I would ask for a "favour" (not favor), but suddenly I was barraged with calls, texts and emails asking if I had sent that email, and wondering what they could do for me.

I spent the bulk of this morning calming the waters, changing passwords on all of my relevant apps and programs (and some that were probably not relevant), and consulting with IT.

One of the calls I received was from a senior-citizen client that I had helped purchase a modest property last year.  She had received the email, and had responded asking how she could help.  They then asked her to go to the nearest pharmacy and purchase five $50.00 google-play gift cards, scratch the backs off and text them the numbers off the back.

When she asked the Walgreens clerk how to scratch off the backs and text the numbers... the clerk was kind enough to inform her that it was a scam, and not to do it.

She then called me to confirm.  I was so touched, that this woman who I did not have a close relationship with had been willing to send me $250.00 over an email.  I thanked her profusely, that she'd been willing... but am very grateful that the Walgreens clerk had kept her from losing her money.

There are bad people, and good people in the world.

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments (8)

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

That so makes clear how much swords are double edged.  As upsetting as having to fix the problem, this woman's actions have probably more than made up for the trouble.  Very nice.  Mark

Mar 31, 2021 11:17 AM
Alan May

It was a nice touch.

Mar 31, 2021 12:30 PM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

I like the reused graphics. That works for me! And I knew it wasn't you when they spelled it favour. :)

Mar 31, 2021 11:24 AM
Alan May

Actually, just the other way around,  They spelled it "favor"... I do use the British spelling "favour", "colour"... my mother's first language was not English, and she learned hers from the British...  and then I spent a few years overseas, and it stuck for me.

Mar 31, 2021 12:31 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

What a story Alan!  Happy to hear everything worked out for the best and no one was hurt.  A

Mar 31, 2021 11:30 AM
Alan May

I can't guarantee that nobody got duped... but on the plus side, I'm hearing from lots of people that I haven't heard from in years.

Mar 31, 2021 12:31 PM
Brian L. Sirota, Esq.
Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA
For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Alan, understandably, this doesn't have the same Alanism humour to which we've grown accustom.    I have always wondered the reason you flavour your writing with Brit spelling?

Mar 31, 2021 11:39 AM
Alan May

My mother learned her English from the British (English is not her first language)... and then I spent several years overseas, and it stuck.  I used to use the word "Cheque", but my boss trained that out of me.

Mar 31, 2021 12:32 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Sorry to hear that you were hacked and even happier to her that an alert clerk saved that woman

Mar 31, 2021 12:15 PM
Alan May

Wasn't that a nice touch?

Mar 31, 2021 12:33 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

What a sweet dear lady to want to help you out......not knowing it was a scam. This happened to another agent that I had just closed a transaction with.  I knew he was hacked as there is no way he'd be asking me for money.  I tracked him down to make sure he was aware of it.

Mar 31, 2021 02:34 PM
Alan May

I've been getting calls all day long from agents who want to make sure I know.

Mar 31, 2021 03:03 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Alan - there are times the peculiarities of everyday causes one to experience both the good and the not-so-good elements of life.  

Mar 31, 2021 04:07 PM
Alan May

are you trying to tell me, Michael, that 'these are the times that try men's souls'?

Mar 31, 2021 06:48 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Alan- I love Mark's comment!!!  What upsets me is how these people-wannabes prey on people who are kind-hearted and not as tech savvy. 

Apr 01, 2021 10:54 AM
Alan May

... and clearly it's working, or they'd stop doing it.

Apr 01, 2021 11:05 AM