Home > Blogs > Marte Cliff > The Real Estate Copywriting Blog
bookmark_borderbookmark

Beware - new hackers, spammers

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Earlier this week I started getting messages from Facebook friends telling me that someone was sending messages in my name. Thank goodness the terrible grammar alerted them to the fact that it wasn't me.

I changed my password there and searched Google to see if I had a clone. Don't know if there's more I can do. hacker - spammer

This morning - just a few minutes ago - I got a message that said it was from Anna Banana. It said something like "just sharing this link" and gave a link.

That didn't sound like Anna Banana to me, so I looked at the return email address. Nope, it wasn't her.

Looks like we all need to be suspicious, even when getting messages or email from people we know on Facebook or here in the Rain.

Just as an FYI - I NEVER send Facebook messages. So if you get one from me - it isn't me. If I notice that I have a message I'll usually reply, but that's it. 

If I want to get in touch, I'll send an email or pick up the phone.

 

Image courtesy of freedooom @freedigitalphotos.net

Comments (20)
Subscribe to CommentsComment

Submit
Show All Comments
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Marte,

We just do not bother with FB at all.  The whole platform is not for us.  I like hugging our families and seeing them in person, and the same with our friends.  A

Sep 14, 2019 11:51 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I agree Ron and Alexandra Seigel - I don't like the place, so don't know why I even have an account. It does give me an opportunity to see photos of my granddaughter now and then - and I never get to see her in person.

Sep 14, 2019 12:10 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRB, Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate BR030809000 - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Wow Marte Cliff I'm not on FB anymore (deleted or so they said) so how on earth could I be sending a message to anyone. This stuff goes on and on and we have to be very vilant in making sure we don't open anything from a questionable source.

Sep 14, 2019 12:46 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Marte... thanks for the heads-up. I haven't received such messages but also don't send messages through Facebook either.

Sep 14, 2019 12:52 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 - the message from you was an email. I forwarded it to you so you could see where it originated. Meanwhile - yes - we need to be careful about opening things.

Nina Hollander I've never figured out why anyone wants to send messages through facebook when they can just send an email or call on the phone.

I actually had classmates upset with me because I didn't get back to them about a class reunion a few years back. They'd been messaging me for months before someone dialed the phone. Duh - we're in the phone book. Plus - my email is on my website, easy to find.

Sep 14, 2019 01:26 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I totally get it, Marte. I feel the same way and get totally irritated when someone uses Facebook to send a message.

Sep 14, 2019 01:33 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Nina Hollander Yes - I do too. Why go through all that when it's so easy to send an email?

Sep 14, 2019 02:42 PM
Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD
ViewHomes of Clark County - Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
REALTORS® in Clark County, WA

I just make it a practice not to opem anything like this...unless, I can confirm with the person first that it is legit.  Still, it sure is annoying that we even have to deal with this problem. 

Sep 14, 2019 03:06 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD I agree. Why is the world so full of creeps who just want to make life hard on other people?

Sep 14, 2019 03:23 PM
Kathy Streib
Room Service Home Staging - Delray Beach, FL
Home Stager - Palm Beach County,FL -561-914-6224

Hi Marte- those have shown up in my Facebook Messenger as well. If I receive something I'll contact the person directly to see if they sent something. On average I spend about 5 minutes a day on Facebook and that's to catch up with friends and see their photos. 

Sep 14, 2019 04:29 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Kathy Streib I go to facebook when I get a notice that my son has posted something - and also when someone posts to Active Rain Peeps. I hardly ever go look at my own newsfeed - or whatever its called.

Sep 14, 2019 08:30 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Grammatically speaking...we knew it wasn't you !

Sep 15, 2019 04:28 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Marte - Suspicious.  Cautious.  Questioning.  Observant.  All these words come to mind and certainly this skepticism goes beyond Facebook.  

Sep 15, 2019 06:18 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Sally K. & David L. Hanson - I'm thankful for that! I haven't seen it. Was she trying to sell you something?

Michael Jacobs Oh yes - far beyond Facebook.

Sep 15, 2019 09:54 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

Good heads up. Thanks, Marte.  I am VERY careful about what I open.  I've probably missed out on a few multi-million dollar opportunities but oh well!

Sep 15, 2019 11:23 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

As have I, Carol Williams - but it's a chance we'll have to take.

Sep 15, 2019 12:40 PM
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I've been attacked so many times in so many ways I should carry a weapon. Oh wait, I do! But it's no help with 'THAT KIND' of attack although firing a round into the computer is always tempting.
MANY of us are AGING and all of us are busy - it's easy to miss the clues and click where you shouldn't. So be ever mindful and vigilant ESPECIALLY on that cesspool of muck FnB! LOL

Featured in Bartender Make It A Double
Important stuff here!

Sep 15, 2019 03:56 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You are so right, Candice A. Donofrio - we must be vigilant because we can't even find them, much less shoot them!

Thanks for the feature!

Sep 15, 2019 04:46 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Marte Cliff - Good grammar is your trademark and you always do your homework.

Nobody can fool Marte's eyes! 

Sep 15, 2019 09:35 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP I try - but I do make mistakes now and then. Thanks for the compliment.

Sep 16, 2019 09:44 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?