Ever been so busy that when someone calls on your listing you ask for the caller's name, the real estate broker that they work with, and ask for their license number and verify them?

Anyone can call on one of your listings and act as a Realtor - verifying their true identity is one thing; failure to properly identify your caller is another.

According to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), unlicensed real estate activities have its consequences including violating F.S. 455 and subject to disciplinary action from FREC. Both licensed real estate professional and unlicensed person are subject to disciplinary action from the FREC. An unlicensed person imposing as a Realtor may be charged a 3^rd degree felony while a licensed Realtor may be fined for aiding an unlicensed person to practice real estate without a license.

There are large brokerage firms who have an 800 # that when real estate agents call to get showing instructions must give their full identity and their license number to be verified. You must register with these ‘showing' companies before they give you any showing instructions. Shouldn't you do the same?

In order to show real estate properties in the State of Florida, you must be a current/active licensed real estate salesperson or be a licensed personal assistant.

If you need to show a listing, whether you are a mortgage broker or are an investor or in any profession alike and posing as a Realtor, do yourself a favor and ask for the licensed listing agent or licensed personal assistant to show you the property. You are better off saving your time by having the Realtor there with you in case you have any questions about the property and avoid criminal charges against you. You never know when FREC will be calling.

The DBPR conducted an investigation in a rental real estate office that I worked at in my early days of real estate. One of the sales associates was being 'interviewed' by the DBPR and told her to avoid certain areas of certain races. Why did the DBPR do the investigation? I have no clue but the Realtor passed the 'test'. You just never know who is who at the other side of the phone.

We have enough fraudulent activities with mortgages - Identify yourself just as you are and abolish real estate fraudulent practices; its just not worth the crime.