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Beware of Callers You Don't Know

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

 

Phone scams can come from anyone, whether they're posing as a potential homebuyer, a contractor, or even a police officer.

Scammers are more cunning than ever, targeting trusting individuals. Always be cautious when someone asks for your personal information. There’s absolutely no reason to share sensitive details over the phone.  And there is no reason to open your home to a stranger wanting to do something for you.

We're talking about sharing Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and even calls from people posing as your grandchild.

Yes, this happens...It goes something like this, 'Grandma, I'm in trouble and need some money." These people know how to play on your goodness. Think about it, who would not help a grandchild?

If you ever find yourself in a situation where someone is requesting your personal information, take a moment to pause and reconsider.

If you've already been scammed, remember, there's no shame in it; reporting the incident is so important! Many feel embarrassed after a scam, but speaking up can make a difference. By sharing your experience, you help raise awareness and safeguard friends and family from similar threats.

Be aware of callers who want to buy your house for cash. Don't invite people you don't know over, no matter how convincing they are on a phone call.

The more people who are aware of these scams, the stronger we become against them. Let’s spread the word and encourage awareness! Scammers are good at what they do!   Together, we can protect our friends, family, clients and our communities.

Do you have a scam story to share?

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


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Comments(13)

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Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Right on Margaret! When they call and talk so fast through the name of their company that you cannot even understand them. When...there is a 2 to 3 second gap after you say hello before they come on the phone...something is fishy. Robo-dialers. Yes, beware and do not give out information.

Mar 14, 2026 07:31 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Good point, Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI 

That 2-3 second gap is a giveaway.  And when I answer the phone, "Hi This Is Margaret" ...Their first question: "Is this Margaret?"

Mar 14, 2026 07:46 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Margaret. The way things are these days if I don't recognize  the number I don't answer. If it's important they will leave a message and I can call back. Sad that honesty has suffered a big loss in recent years. Enjoy your day.

Mar 15, 2026 04:39 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Wayne Martin 

As a retiree, there is no need to answer unknown numbers. But I bet when you were an acting broker, you answered and screened those calls for "real" clients.

Mar 15, 2026 06:55 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Margaret. I don't have a personal scam story to share, but one of our neighbors did fall for a scam and was out $5,000 when the scammer told him they had kidnapped his grandson.

Mar 15, 2026 05:36 AM
Kat Palmiotti

Geez

Mar 15, 2026 07:54 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Nina Hollander, Broker

That's the worst scammer! So sorry that your neighbor had to fall for such deceit and emotional trauma. I had one of those calls, but recognized it right away...' Grandma' was not my name! But at the very beginning, the fear was there. 

Mar 15, 2026 07:00 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday morning, Margaret. This is good information to share. All of us need to be alert.

Mar 15, 2026 06:02 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Good reminder. With scams becoming more sophisticated, this feels a bit like the theme in The Beekeeper — protecting people from those who exploit trust.

It is encouraging to see technology stepping in as well. Services like Verizon’s call filtering and spam protection are helping screen unknown callers and reduce robocalls before they ever reach us.

In real estate, especially, caution matters. Verify identities, avoid sharing personal information, and never invite unknown callers to your home without proper vetting. Awareness and simple safeguards can prevent costly mistakes.

Mar 15, 2026 06:16 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 

So true! You have given me the inspiration to write another post...Realtors really are the beekeepers of the housing hive!!

Mar 15, 2026 07:10 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Being that there are a plethora of scams out there these days, it leads to me rarely answering my phone, and ignoring all numbers that I don't recognize, haha.

Mar 15, 2026 06:17 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Scams are very sophisticated and we have to be constantly vigilant.

Mar 15, 2026 07:54 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Margaret,

This is an on going problem and seniors are getting defrauded! When Geno was alive he'd have a ball if they called our home phone (don't have one now). The minute the person started in on their presentation Geno would start talking saying how excited he was they called that he hadn't talked to anyone in days! He's ask them how they liked their job, if they were married, had any kids and keep going and they would hang up! Hysterical!!!

Mar 15, 2026 08:22 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs.
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

No stories to tell Miss Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 

I just hang up on those calls if I ever bother to answer them. 

Life is just too short. 

Mar 15, 2026 08:30 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret even when a call seems legit I do not give out ANY information.  I hang up the phone and call the number I have for who is supposedly calling and confirm that it is really them who is calling.

Mar 15, 2026 10:54 AM
Adam Feinberg
Howard Hanna Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

Yesterday I noticed a missed call alert on my phone. It wasn't a # I recognized. I googled the number- and it was an out of state #- but the results came up with the same name as one of the agents I work with- her name isn't rare or unusual. It was likely a coincidence- but I don't know...is this a new scam? I didn't call back. 

Mar 15, 2026 11:29 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

This was a sharp reminder to stay alert, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400. The way you broke down these scams makes the whole thing easier to spot, and it’s a good push for all of us to keep friends and clients aware. As for me, I never answer calls when I don’t know who’s on the other end. Thanks for putting this out there with such clarity and heart.

Mar 15, 2026 02:01 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Margaret- sadly these thugs are getting better at scamming. I read the other day they can spoof a caller ID to show the company name and phone number. 

Several years ago someone called Larry's mother pretending to be her granddaughter. She said she needed money. Thankfully, his mother called us first. 

Mar 15, 2026 06:20 PM