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My first Rant I was (almost) Scammed. A REO Scam

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist RB-14203

I was almost Scammed.

In 2009 I saw where the market was going on Kauai and became a REO agent. I did well but now the REO market on Kauai has dried up. 80% of my business is now traditional real estate. I still like to get REO listings and was thrilled when I pulled in my office parking lot and got a call from a man identifying himself as an Asset Manager with IREOPRO and that he had 2 assets to assign to me if I was the right agent. Well boy am I ever the right agent. We spoke for 10 minutes in the parking lot. I was detailing my experience, building rapport. I even told him he made my day! However one comment he made struck me as odd. He said their asset management company pays 6% commission and that their company does not take a referral fee. RED Flag REO Scam Every legitimate REO servicer I have used takes a referral fee or pays a reduced commission.

I started walking to my office and asked him for the addresses of the properties he had for me. The first property I looked up on my MLS. I was familiar with this property and knew that the property hadn't been foreclosed on yet. I mentioned this to him and he acknowledged that, but I would get the listing when it was. He still wanted me to do the BPO and occupancy check. I asked him if I would get paid for completing the BPO. He said "No" they are not a BPO mill. I asked him for the address of the second property. He gave it to me and on the MLS it listed a local bank as the current lien holder. I have done business with this bank. They don't outsource.  To test him I asked what bank did he have as the lien holder. He said OneWest Bank. I forgot to mention to him in detailing my experience, that I am also a REO agent for OneWest Bank. It's been awhile since I have had a listing from them but I'm pretty sure they don't outsource either. 

I told him to email me his information and that I would Google him. If he was legit I would proceed. Well of course the email didn't come. I mention this phone call to an associate Broker Sheila Morales. She said "been there done that" and told me it was a scam. They even want you to pay a hefty fee for using there platform to complete the no payment BPOS. I did Google them. At first I Googled the phone number 302-212-0635 and nothing came up. But fortunately Sheila remembered the name of the company and yup sure enough there was a warning on a REO PRO BLOG warning other agents about their high pressure sales pitch. Coincidentally (or not) the company's name sounds a lot like the legitimate REO PRO Platform.

So I didn't fall for the scam but I do feel violated. I told him he made my day. I spent time selling myself to him. I was excited and I was let down. At least I can warn others not to fall for this scam. My new REO passwords are now a version of SCAMMERS_SUCK! 

Posted by

CLMHS CRS GRI Realtor/Broker/Owner Kauai Dreams Realty 

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Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

I hear they are changing their name now to REO Properties. 

Dec 26, 2014 09:06 AM
Anonymous
Sylvia McNeal

I submitted my complaint to the CFPB and the California Attorney General. Regardless of their name they need to not exist. REO is hard work and time consuming. There is no need for "scammers" and no time for them.

Dec 26, 2014 09:33 AM
#39
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

Thanks Sylvia, I hope someone puts a stop to them.

Dec 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Anonymous
Andy LAM

I received the same type of call from a David Rothman today with the same call-back number (302-212-0647), somewhere in DE, USA, that there are 3 REO listings in my area - same MO used that the other Brokers got on previous posts. He did not indicate which Asset Management company he's with on the voicemail, but is working with two institutions (BOA & WFG) and was referred by the banks to contact me. Based by the sound of his tone, it was a scripted-sale pitch, in my opinion, so be careful and always verify if the company is legit prior to releasing financial infos, especially the one you did not initiated contact to. Thank you all for sharing posts!

Jan 07, 2015 08:55 AM
#41
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

Thanks Andy for sharing your experience.

Jan 07, 2015 11:31 AM
Anonymous
Abby Nelson

Reading these posts now...THANK YOU. I was just "assigned" 4 properties by them and she told me to log in to accept them. I said I couldn't recall my l/p and she said she thought I was already set up in their system and to enter my e-mail as I might have forgotten the password. Since the system didn't recognize my e-mail she said I would just need to sign up...that's when I saw the fee and said I'd call her back. They were offering 6% commissions with no referral fee and a 7% commission if under $120...gee that wasn't a red flag or anything! We would also not have to do any of the property preservation aspect. All too good to be true...

Jan 16, 2015 12:08 AM
#43
Sebrin Adem
RE/MAX Allegiance - Falls Church, VA
Licensed:DC,MD,VA

Hello Julie,

 

I wrote about them previously what makes me sad is that no one seems to stop them. They keep changing email and phone numbers but yet even today i recievd a call from a guy name Dixie. Something must be done. We as a realtor have to do out due deligence like you said. 

 

Below review is from  courtesy of ponice.com please read. 

 

http://poncie.com/2014/04/30/reo-pro-corp-reviews-buyers-beware/

 Have you heard of REO PRO CORP? If you are a Realtor and are breathing, I’m sure you’ve been contacted by REO Pro Corp via phone, email or social media. They claim to assign Fannie Mae (& all the major bank) listings and employ Fannie Mae asset managers. But before they assign any listings to you, you have to PAY “$400″ to join their network.

They will call you and say they are asset managers and that they have an assignment for you. But, they cannot release the assignment until you pay them $400. Shame on them! Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, etc… never call you and say they have assignments in exchange for $400! Don’t fall for this trap!

We contacted vendor management at Fannie Mae and asked if they did business or were affiliated with REO Pro Corp. On 12/31/2013, Fannie Mae informed us that they were unable to locate this company in their database. Fannie Mae does not outsource to REO Pro Corp nor employ their asset managers nor are affiliated. Neither is Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase or Freddie Mac. Neither of these companies outsources to REO Pro Corp. REO Pro Corp flat out LIES!

 

 

Jan 29, 2015 05:31 AM
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

So true Sebrin Adem . It sounded like one Realtor who commented was going to try and go after them, but really all that would probably do is make them change their name, which they are doing now. I think we are lucky that we have the internet, AR & Google. Hopefully we can put them out of business by publicizing this scam. My other solution is to by a fog horn. And we they call.........

Jan 30, 2015 12:52 PM
Jim Patton
Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA
Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

Julie A. Black they just called me today. They were going to give me 4 new listings today. They are very good at selling their program. They almost got me. Fortunately I told him that I needed to check their references first, he gave me two, one of which had a disconected phone number. The whole time I was speaking to him that little voice in my head was saying "this is too good to be true." So while I had him on hold to check references I also googled them. Good thing I did. Thanks for your post!

Feb 10, 2015 04:59 AM
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

Thanks Jim Patton . They must be working it. Another Realtor called me today as he was checkng on references. At least we have "google" these days to check and keep these scammers at bay.

Feb 10, 2015 09:18 AM
Janie Lapka
Baxter, MN
Realtor, real estate sales, Broker Associate, CRS

I too was almost scammed until I saw your post, thank you for posting that.  Also does anyone know anything about Prime Asset Fund?  They are promising a REO listing if I do a bpo for them but I checked with the courthouse and they're not even in foreclosure yet.

Mar 09, 2015 02:57 AM
Dennis Herman
Crossroads Real Estate LLC - Howards Grove, WI
Dennis Herman

I just received a call from them 3-20-15 and searched the company to find an agent wrote their script and posted it. The lady on the line followed that script to the letter. I put a call into the police here in Menomonee Falls, WI to see if anything can be done. What are we paying for in taxes when companies like this can be in business for 6 years?

Mar 20, 2015 02:21 AM
Jim Garcia | Douglas County Real Estate
Jim Garcia | Douglas County Real Estate - Castle Rock, CO
240+ Reviews-Most Recommended Realtor

 Thanks for everyones input and advice. I got a call today 3/20/2015 from them. He said they have many bank properties in the works. I asked him for an address and looked it up while he was on the phone. That property sold 2 months prior and was not a Bank REO sale. When I called him on it, he aplogized, said he was new and was looking at the wrong list. He gave me another address. I searched the Castle Rock CO Homes in Douglas County Colorado foreclosure database. That property is not in foreclosure and it not late on payments. What a scam. No surprise here. Stay Aware! I've been scammed in the past and search the internet for reviews on any firm that calls me first. Thanks for everyone staying together.

Mar 20, 2015 07:38 AM
Janie Lapka
Baxter, MN
Realtor, real estate sales, Broker Associate, CRS

It makes you wonder how many Realtors have been taken with this scam, sure glad for this forum!

Mar 21, 2015 08:03 AM
Anonymous
janette

How can one get a refund from this company?

Mar 25, 2015 07:50 AM
#52
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

Janette you should call them and make all kinda of threats i.e BBB, consumer fraud agencies, etc. if they wont refund your money.

Mar 26, 2015 04:05 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

I think, there are few companies like that, since I got calls with different pitches, but I always ask right away: ''how much?'' if there is an upfront fee, I'm not interested any more. 

Mar 30, 2016 04:31 PM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

There has been 1000s if not 100,000 agents get these companies wanting sign up for a fee.  As for listings it is through eMail platforms. They send an eMail asking if you are interested and you look them up check them out.  

I still get them now from India....

Sorry many best bloggs are not featured.  

Jun 03, 2016 12:41 PM
Julie A. Black

I wasn't hoping for a feature. I was just proud of the response it got.  

Jun 03, 2016 12:43 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Serving Coastal San Diego,Veteran's & Retirees

We had our share of scams here in San Diego, I got to bust a couple legally with cops (attempted squatters) and there were so many others to hang up on and so forth. We used to post warnings on social media about the latest scam circulating SD. Glad those days are behind us; but I know the scammers will always be there with a new plot.

Jun 03, 2016 02:24 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Unfortunately these folks will continue to find plenty of agents who will fall for this, generally the agents who can not afford to lose any money but will spend their last dollar in an effort to get a client.

I am glad to hear that you will not be participating in their scam, thanks for putting the warning out into the world too.

Jun 04, 2016 12:47 AM