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2020's: Decade of the SCAM

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty 8431215

Sadly,  scams are everywhere these days.  Mostly over the phone,  via email or text.  While I am not a suspicious or distrustful person by nature,  constant barrages of daily calls, texts and emails have changed that.

This week I received an email from an attorney about the home warranty my seller clients had paid for on a recent transaction.   The home warranty company is excellent.  But the new buyer (not my client) was scammed.

The home warranty company had already been paid by the seller.  

The email read something like:

"My client gave the warranty company $200.  Now they are asking him for $200 more.  Why are they doing this?"  They said they needed the extra money since it was a 3 year warranty.

Sirens and bells went off in my head immediately.

I knew that he was scammed.   I asked her:  :  "Who did he pay?  He was scammed.  The company I use would never collect additional money, and they do not have a 3 year warranty program. Tell him to stop paying strangers."

When you buy a home, that data becomes easily attainable.  Buyers beware.  

The good news is, it was limited to $200.   It is infuriating to see slimy human beings take advantage of good, hard working people.

Before giving strangers any money, ever, investigate.  One your money is gone, it is not coming back.

My cell:  (609) 864-8164

My website:  https://michaelelliott.fathomrealty.com/

 

Posted by

Michael Elliott

NO ONE DOES MORE TO GET YOU MORE

         

michaelelliott.fathomrealty.com

Burlington, New Jersey Real Estate 

Broker / Salesperson

Fathom Realty

elliottrealtor@gmail.com

cell (609) 864-8164   office (888) 455-6040

My market area map for New Jersey

Comments(15)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Michael - hopefully, history will tell us how this decade will be remembered.  There have certainly been periods of challenges in our past, now and likely in times to come.  

Oct 12, 2024 04:05 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Michael... if only the people who ran these scams put their ingenuity for good... what a different world we would be living in!

Oct 12, 2024 04:48 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Ugh, another person who fell for a scam. Definitely double check any time someone asks for money!

Oct 12, 2024 05:02 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Michael. Must say I can't say it any better than my friend, Nina Hollander, Broker. So I will agree with her and move on . Enjoy your day. 

Oct 12, 2024 05:14 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

There are definitely way too many scams out there these days and it has sadly become quite commonplace rather than seeming like there is an end in sight.

Oct 12, 2024 05:53 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

So sad. Thanks for sharing, make it a great Saturday and enjoy your weekend!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Oct 12, 2024 05:55 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

All I can say is UGHHHHH. I wish companies and people would put more effort into doing the RIGHT thing instead of BS.

Oct 12, 2024 06:55 AM
Michael Elliott

Congrats to your Mets.  They played very well.  

Oct 12, 2024 07:00 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

There are so many scams out there and the people doing the scams are coming up with some pretty slick ones Michael Elliott .

Oct 12, 2024 07:50 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

With the way AI can be used to duplicate voice I am so reluctant to take a call from a number I don't recognize. That is a tough way to do business.

Oct 12, 2024 09:07 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 / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Sadly, Michael, we are no longer living in a society where we can "trust but verify". It is now "Verify before trusting".

Oct 12, 2024 09:16 AM
Michael Elliott

Exactly

Oct 13, 2024 04:22 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Michael Elliott scammers are very good at what they do.  Just think of the good they could accomplish if they put all that energy into doing good.

Oct 12, 2024 12:31 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Michael Elliott you are right, 2020's is becoming a decade of the scam. Hopefully it will not get worse with advanced technology. 

Oct 12, 2024 02:30 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Michael- scammers fall into the same category as do thugs, thieves and scum of the earth. 

Oct 12, 2024 02:54 PM
Michael Elliott

Amen

Oct 13, 2024 04:22 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Hi Michael, and it seems like the scammers are always inventing new hustles! 

Oct 14, 2024 08:43 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

Good points to make against criminals, Michael! There is a scammer (from another state) who also sends out a notice to new buyers that for only $75 they will send a copy of the county paperwork. I warn clients not to fall for it because I can do that! 

Oct 14, 2024 08:49 AM