BurglarWow!

I had no idea my blog yesterday about a burglary security code scam would prompt such a downpour of responses on ActiveRain. Every Realtor responding was appalled, though most of you have experienced similar requests for security information. And many of you had some very interesting comments and suggestions.

Fred Strickroot with HomeNet in Tampa Bay said, "I agree that the Supra boxes or similar electronic key box offer the best security. I have had customers get upset when they wouldn't be given the combo because they said that other Realtors were okay with just giving them the combo to a home."

Fred wasn't the only agent to sing Supra's praises. Paula McDonald, The Woodlands, TX with the Chevaux Group said, "That is why I prefer using Supra Key boxes. They track all activity and you have to be licensed in order to use them. I have had other agents give me codes before without checking me out too. I am always amazed at this." I frankly can't understand why any MLS in the country is not insisting on lock boxes for home security.
    
Gail Robinson out of Southport, CT had a great idea! She said, "We use the Supra electronic keyboxes. I usually put the alarm code on a tag on the key and tell the agent when they open the electronic box they will see the code. I do not like to give out the code ahead of time and have someone write it down with the address. They might leave it on their desk, in a coffee shop scribbled on the listing printout sheet, or something else. Who knows?"

And Fernando Herboso from www.ReallyNiceHomes.com reminded me of a similar scam that also happened to me once. He wrote, "I can probably do the same in my area in ten minutes! There are Nigerian scams that utilize the same concept when a property is vacant and there is a number code. . . they "rent" these properties in Craigslist and give prospects the same code number to would be renters to inspect the house before they send money." I actually got a call once from a prospect who asked when she could pick up the key to her "rental" which was one of my listings. I smelled a rat, though, because I knew it wasn't rented. She'd seen it in an ad on CraigsList (which I hadn't posted), did a drive-by inspection and sent the first month's rent and the one month deposit to a "Reverend" landlord in Nigeria.

I'd have to say that Jim Bushart, a Licensed Public Adjuster, summed your responses up perfectly. He said, "After nine years as a certified home inspector who inspected homes for real estate transactions (I have since retired from real estate transaction home inspections), I have to say that it was the rule rather than the exception to have real estate salespeople either give me the combination to the lockbox or to open it for me, and leave me the key so that I could lock up when I was through.  Many of those giving me the combination did so by telephone, having never met me."

"I found this absolutely intriguing and wondered how many owners of the homes that I was inspecting were aware of the fact that their home, their privacy and their possessions were so vulnerable."

Thanks for your responses, guys. It's nice to know there are so many of you out there keeping it real for the industry.

Previously posted on "Burglar security code scam prompts a downpour of ActiveRain responses."