Goldstein & Levy, P.A., General Counsel
Legal Bulletin
NOVEMBER 2, 2016 | FRAUDULENT EMAIL ALERT!
There is another fraudulent email scam involving real estate agents which is circulating widely in our area and which we want to bring to your attention. Listing agents have received emails, purportedly from a buyer’s agent, that indicate there is an offer on one of the email recipient’s listings which can be accessed by clicking on a link in the email. The emails include language such as this:
“Please find an offer on your listing. My offer is above sales price (highest and best offer). Buyer may choose not to do a home inspection if multiple offers are in play and it’s a cash offer. Click Here to View/Download the PDF file offer via Google Doc. You may have to print to see the amount on the front page and the EMD deposit and proof of funds. What’s included in our offer: Offer Letter, EMD, P.O.F., Home inspection is negotiable, Settlement date is flexible.”
The email contains an email signature with the purported agent’s name, who is not licensed and who is not associated with the brokerage included in the email signature.
The offer is not legitimate and clicking on the link may infect your computer with a virus or result in the installation of malware on your computer.
It is an unfortunate consequence of today’s technology that we all must use extreme caution as we conduct our business using email. Cyber security experts caution against clicking on any link or opening any attachment received from an unknown source. Take steps to verify the identity of those who send you email and to authenticate what has been sent before risking the consequences of acting on instructions or clicking on links or attachments in the email. When applicable, also consider verifying the licensing status of unknown individuals who have sent you an email.
