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Rocky Dickerson, Superior Service! (Realty One Group)

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Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

If bitcoin is involved, run away.

Jun 01, 2021 01:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

If the offer to rent at a price that seemed to good to be true included an application fee to be sent to an unknown and untraceable destination...well...why should there be any surprise when it does not work out well.

Jun 01, 2021 01:09 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No but that is a shame. An app fee is nothing compared to rent sent ahead with an unknown person.

When you say Bitcoin, my eyes glaze over. 

Jun 01, 2021 12:36 PM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, I've had them call me, having done worse - sent a security deposit, sent the first and last month's rent and the worst, given the scammer their social security number. 

 

They reach out to the listing agent to 'get the key' and say that the LA was the one with whom they were corresponding...for instance, instead of RockyDickerson@gmail.com, they may use RockyDickerson1@gmail.com or some misspelling of your name. The tenants believe it's you! It'll break your heart.

At least with an app fee, they haven't lost too much.

Jun 01, 2021 03:41 PM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

my daughter had people show up at her house that were looking to "rent" when it was on the market.  Not sure if they'd paid an application fee, but she sent them away and explained her house was only for sale, not rent.

Jun 01, 2021 02:52 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I have not with my clients or anyone I personally know. 

As stated at the AR Zoom meeting today ... 

We are all suckers ... we were born suckers. 

Such a shame that we can trust too much and be so royally screwed over. 

Jun 01, 2021 01:55 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Zillow and  Bitcoin are both playgrounds for scammers, and they are both potential landmines for renters and buyers.  I hope that your client has not learned an expensive lesson.

Jun 01, 2021 01:35 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

If this is your client, why are they going through Zillow?  And yes, I've seen this before, but first I've heard with bitcoin.  

Jun 01, 2021 12:53 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

I agree with Lyn Sims  the whole bitcoin thing goes over my head,  even though I have tried to understand it.  I do know that China is blocking it, and the IRS wants it reported...A

Jun 01, 2021 12:39 PM
Rainmaker
289,719
Dario Ferreira
Attleboro, MA
Internet Marketing & SEO

If I were a real estate agent, I would set up a Google alert for all my listings - sales and rentals.

This way, I would know when the property address shows up anywhere online.

Jun 01, 2021 05:00 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Several years back there were a lot of rental scams  on Craigs list going on with homes that actually  were for sale.  I started receiving a lot of calls and wonder what the heck was this all about - figured it out quickly.  Hasn't happened since.

 

As for Bitcoin... that's just stupid to be paying an app fee through a online source to who knows who.  Bummer for the client. Hope it wasn't too much.

Jun 01, 2021 05:40 PM
Rainmaker
4,160,899
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Rocky Dickerson I haven't seen yet, but Bitcoin can be complicated and try to avoid it.

Jun 01, 2021 02:57 PM
Rainmaker
693,775
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

In our tough rental market, the scammers have been busy.  I have not heard of the Bitcoin angle, but a few of my clients have asked me about some great rental deals their kids found to rent.  The kids were all excited about the opportunities, but warning bells went off in their parent's heads.  I did a little research (it did not take much) and found out they were scams. Thankfully, the kids did not send in the rent and first month's rent.  Scammers are ruthless, targeting those who can least afford it.

Jun 02, 2021 06:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

This is a new one on me... the only rental scams I'm aware of are on Craigs List and haven't seen those in a long time.

Jun 02, 2021 05:19 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
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

I'm constantly amazed that people are STILL falling for these scams. 

Jun 02, 2021 03:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Bitcoin and Zillow always seemed like a scam. I never got involved with Bitcoin or with anyone that did. It was fake from go, just like Zillow.

Jun 01, 2021 09:12 PM
Rainer
427,257
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Seems like an old dog with a new trick. Used to get calls about this same scam on Craigslist, like Ken Jones was speaking of, from people all the time. I hope the app fee wasn't too exorbitant, because it is gone at this point. 

Jun 01, 2021 07:09 PM
Rainmaker
805,909
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

I have heard about people being scammed on rental's and FSBO's but no one that I know. Far to much online scamming going on, seems people never learn. 

Jun 01, 2021 06:46 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

fortuantely before they sent the money they went by to "look" at my listing and discovered it was occupied and NOT for rent so they didn't send the money.  It was craigslist, not zillow.

Jun 01, 2021 04:48 PM
Rainer
135,724
Jerrill Ewing
N & J Lake Properties, LLC - Eatonton, GA
Builder

damn scammers

Jun 01, 2021 03:02 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

There are many scams out there.  Something similar to what Ken Jones said happened to my vacant FOR SALE ONLY listing a few years ago.  The crook told the potential renter to send him money and he did.  The daughter of the renter called me wanting to get more info about my seller.  I guess she was under the impression that this was done by my seller.  I am not giving out any info about my seller unless there's a police report.  At that point, I don't even know whether this woman on the other end of the phone is legitimate or not.  She said she'll be calling the police but I never heard back.

Jun 02, 2021 10:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Can't say that I have

Jun 02, 2021 07:55 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have only been involved in a couple of my clients when renting, I don't play in that arena.

Jun 02, 2021 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Where thee is a will there is a way. Scammers are skilled at tricking those who think they are getting a deal. And the beat goes on!

Jun 02, 2021 04:17 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Playing with fake money to pay for fake rentals.

Always a new scam coming along.

Jun 01, 2021 11:27 PM
Ambassador
3,854,909
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Rocky Dickerson Here is a post about this rental scamming.

Careful...these people are ruthless.

Jun 01, 2021 09:11 PM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's pretty scary to read about these types of scams...not experience with this, yet. but did see a couple of Craigslist ads for rentals, based on 2 properties I had listed for sale only. Renters these days have to be particularly careful of the scammers. I would immediately be concerned if the request is to send money somewhere, and worse deal in bitcoin. I feel so sad for those who get taken in by the scammers...and in a tough rental market, too!

Jun 01, 2021 08:11 PM
Rainmaker
628,814
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I had a listing about 6 months ago where a Craigslist scammer did a similar scenario to Ken & Fred's comment above. I can't believe these people who send money to someone for a sight unseen rental truly mind boggling!

Jun 01, 2021 06:59 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

It's amazing how many people are getting scammed by rentals, long term and vacation rentals. Never mind how payment is made.  I would never rely on someone I haven't seen, talked to or met and can check out.  That's why we real estate people are here. Go around us and you take your chances.  PS.  Lost Bitcoin that way? That's why I use credit cards from companies that I trust.  They will get the money back for me. 

Jun 02, 2021 08:54 AM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Bitcoin is difficult to turn into cash. They probably foolishly provided access to their bitcoin locker, meaning they clean it out. 

Jun 02, 2021 01:46 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

These type of scams have been going on for 10+ years. Some people never learn, and desperate people don't think clearly. One of the first times I ran into it was in Reston VA when 2 different families sent money to scammer, and they both showed up at the same time to move in. Of course no one showed up with a key for them, and the For Sale sign was still out front.

Jun 02, 2021 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

No, have not expereince this.
However, all I can think to say is, "What were they thinking?" Bitcoin!"
It seems the most desperate are also the most gullible.

Jun 04, 2021 06:39 AM
Ambassador
3,125,842
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Not with Bitcoin but my parents were scammed years ago and as they were moving in, the police showed up and they were out $4000 plus had to find temporary quarters until they could find another proerty.

Jun 03, 2021 06:27 PM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I've heard of scams but not with bitcoin. I once had someone call me about a rental. The photo and description was my listing. They copied my listing and made it into a rental post on CL. I told the guy if it were for rent, it would be more than what it was listed for. He said he thought it was too good to be true. Good think he googled and found me then reached out. I emailed CL and they took the post down.

Jun 03, 2021 07:09 AM