Real Estate Scam - Beware of an email like the following...

Imagine my pleasant surprise! I received the following email today as I started my work day:

Hi there,

I am interested in viewing one of your properties while on my holiday here, could you please call me on my overseas mobile +882 135 503 28 to setup a time. As I am travelling and unable to pickup emails regularly so please call.

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Casey

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Mobile: +882 135 503 28

How awesome! Someone hit my website and wanted to see my listing!

Oops! One problem: I recently started investing full time and committed to only working with referrals (prior clients) in my licensed capacity. I had referred out all my internet leads to other brokers.

So, how did Elizabeth find me?

Well, I "Binged" (not cool to Google anymore) Elizabeth. I found out that Elizabeth has been in nearly 200 markets coast to coast in the past 24 hours. (Though I am not sure, she has been described as traveling with a fat man driving a sleigh and 8 reindeer.)

It sounds like a dial and pay scam in the vein of a "900 number" dial and pay. It's a paid toll service. (See here: http://area-codes.1keydata.com/area-codes-8.php#882 )

So, please beware of Elizabeth. You have been warned.

One final thought: it's sad that our industry is perceived as so desperate that we would chase every lead like it's the last lead on earth.

This is exactly why I work by referral!

Michael Clarkson