by Con Warner
Sun Dec 01, 2013 6:29 am
Below is an example email from a scammer who claims to be using Realtor.com as an escrow service for property keys.
Realtor.com do not work this way!
They do not offer this service!
They do not have agents who accept payments via Western Union or any other cash transfer.
In fact, Realtor.com do not accept payments at all.
If you were to follow the instructions of this person, you money will be stolen.
This email is not from Realtor.com. It is spoofed. The "agent's" email address, [email protected] belongs to the scammer.
Realtor.com do not work this way!
They do not offer this service!
They do not have agents who accept payments via Western Union or any other cash transfer.
In fact, Realtor.com do not accept payments at all.
If you were to follow the instructions of this person, you money will be stolen.
This email is not from Realtor.com. It is spoofed. The "agent's" email address, [email protected] belongs to the scammer.
From: Realtor.com <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Nov 30, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Subject: Invoice ID #KMM12907183I15977L0HG - Pending! Congratulations on your tenancy approval!
To: Con Warner
Invoice ID #KMM12907183I15977L0HG - Pending
Congratulations on your tenancy approval. Realtor.com enables any business or consumer with an email address to securely and cost-effectively send and receive payments online in real-time! The Tenant checks the property before authorizing the payment, and allows the Landlord to use a safe way of accepting payment by money orders!
About Company
Realtor.com reduces risks associated with Internet transactions by acting as a licensed neutral third party for online transactions. The package will remain in our custody until the prospective tenant will send the payment through a Money Order Service. After verifying the funds, Realtor.com is ready to deliver the parcel to the designated address.
You are receiving this e-mail because you are involved in a rental process, your landlord requested to use Realtor.com. Realtor.com offers a set of services that build protection into every step of the rental process. The Realtor.com Service is your safety net in the rare occasion that something goes wrong.
The Realtor.com process relies on email as a way to keep the prospective tenant and landlord informed at all steps of the process. Please ensure you check your email at least once a day if you are involved in a rental process.
*****************************************************************
1. Prospective Tenant and landlord agree to use Realtor.com. Landlord starts the process.
2. The prospective Tenant pays Realtor.com a security deposit. Realtor.com holds this money until the keys and contract are received by the prospective Tenant.
3. We deliver the keys and signed contract using an approved courier and we will also provide a tracking number so you can track the package.
4. The prospective Tenant receives, signs for the package and inspects the property in question.
5. Realtor.com pay the landlord - rental process completed.
*****************************************************************
Invoice ID: #KMM12907183I15977L0HG
Transaction Date: November 30, 2013
Payment Deadline: December 02, 2013
Owner's Details:
Full Name
Tobías Velásquez
Address
V. Mignosi 26
City
Rome
Postal Code
00138
Country
Italy
Prospective Tenant's Details:
Full name
Removed
*****************************************************************
Service:
Handled by:
Realtor.com - Online
DHL Express Shipping
Guaranteed delivery:
24 hours after Payment Confirmation
Description of Goods:
Apartment and Interphone/Digiphone Keys, Viewing Permit,
Additional Services:
None
Inspection:
Guaranteed by Realtors International
Delivery:
$ 0.00
* *Note: Delivery expenses are covered by the home owner.
*****************************************************************
Service Information: Tracking Number: Pending
Package Information:
Property keys and rental contract verified by Realtor and signed by Tobías Velásquez, Owner of property in question, located at this address:
2 Bedrooms ,2 Bathrooms , E 93rd St Apt: 29-D New York NY 10128 , United States
Declared Monthly Rent Value: $ 2.000,00
Security Deposit To Pay: $ 1.300,00
Total Amount: $ 3.300,00 - Representing Rent + Security Deposit
Delivery Costs: $ 0.00
*****************************************************************
Payment Information and Instructions
How to make the payment to our agent?
Locate the nearest Western Union office click here.
You can pay with cash at any Western Union Office and have payment sent to the Realtor.com Agent. That frees the seller to confidently send you the keys and documents - saving you days of waiting
It's Easy:
Visit any one of Western Union nearly 45,000 Agent locations and fill out the appropriate Western Union form to send your payment in cash.
Your payment is typically sent within minutes .
It's Convenient:
There are nearly 45,000 Western Union Agent locations nationwide. Many are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Several IDs and utility bills are required before the funds are paid. Therefore, no one else only the agent Realtor.com can pick up the money. Your payments cannot be lost in the mail, like money orders or check.
Make the payment using money transfer to our Realtor.com Agent name listed below and send the total amount of $1.300,00
Full name
Michael Bostick
Address
Via Licola Patria, 103
City
Rome
Postal Code
00162
Country
Italy
Please send us a copy of the Western Union receipt by fax +1 (310)-775-9759 and e-mail at : [email protected]
The payment receipt must include:
MTCN# (10 digits control number).
Sender's Name and Address.
City, State and zip code from where the transfer was sent.
WARNING: You have to send the money to our Realtor Agent. Do not send the money to the seller directly. We can not guarantee the safety of your transaction if the seller have the money before you inspect the apartment.
Note: To avoid Western Union fees you will have to declare at the Western Union office that the money will be sent for a relative or friend (the transfer commission will be smaller 3~5%). For online payments, you could pay 10~12% transfer commission. The payment must be made at a Western Union Agency, in person,with cash by the Tenant. We can't confirm any payments made online.
*****************************************************************
Important notice:
Once the payment is done and the verification is complete, we will proceed with the delivery of the package. We will inform the Home Owner that the payment was sent and that the package was delivered as soon as we get the payment confirmation. Just follow the instructions above.
Realtor.com goal is for every online transaction to go as planned safely and without surprises. We have verified the Landlord’s identity, financial stability, and ability to honor their rent terms and conditions.
If the Landlord does not meet the terms of transaction, you will get a full refund. Guaranteed. Best of all, the Realtor.com. Service is completely free to you. The refund is sent to your bank account, or by check or money order. The way you receive the refund is your choice. Refund requests are processed within 24 hours .
The Landlord delivers the package to Realtor.com for full evaluation of content. Realtor.com offer you a 10 days inspection period, so if by the reason you refuse the property, Realtor.com will return the money to you.
The payment details are confidential and will not be released under any circumstances.
If you have an additional question about this transaction, email us at Customer Support or just reply to this email or by chat:
* Keep this email for your records
Sincerely,
Customer Care Representative
REALTOR.com Customer Care
Thank you for contacting REALTOR.com Customer Care.
