206-407-3836
WA, US
 | lone stranger 2012-04-27 08:55:21 Unknown |
Okay, here we go.
First, the number: At first glance the call appears to originate from a cell phone out of Seattle, but there is a segment in (206) 407- , specifically, the (206) 407-3xxx segment, which belongs to Broadwing. Since your inquiry uses a phone number squarely in that segment, I am going to assume that this is a VOIP call. Now, if I called you, I am using VOIP, so it isn't an automatic death sentence, but it should make your spidey-sense tingle just a little bit. It is entirely possible that this call came from anywhere in the world. If I wanted to, I could call you from that same segment, and I promise you I am not in Seattle.
You got a note? Now that is really weird. In fact that should have your spidey-sense ringing in your ears. Scammers love to do this sort of thing. They think it makes them seem legit and it makes it easier to dodge your questions. Also, a lot of scammers are not all that keyed in on the culture here, and don't realize what rings true, or what sounds an alarm bell.
I'm guessing (actually I feel certain) that this is a scammer. But let's talk about that a bit.
I'm really hoping you didn't put your house on Craig's List, or any other goofy Internet sell it yourself site? If so, you just painted a huge bullseye on yourself. Take it down. Now. I'll wait here...
Okay, new scams come up all the time, but lets start with some that have been popular.
(1) Selling someone else's house. This one is very popular these days. The scammer contacts you pretending to be a potential buyer, and gathers as much info from you as they can. Pictures and such as well if they can get them. Then they put your house up for sale (and they are a lot more competitive in their pricing than you are!). They always have some sort of story - I'm overseas in the military, and my Mom died, I've been transferred and I have to sell my house, whatever. Or, sometimes, if the house is empty, and they are actually operating in your area, they will meet people to show them the house! How do they get in? It is easy. There is a way to stick a key in the lock and open it, even if it isn't the correct key (I'm not going to spell the method out here). Some of them go as far as changing the locks! The goal of this scam is to gather up as much "earnest money" as they can. They will sell your house to multiple buyers, cash the checks, and move on to their next house.
(2) Living in someone else's house. This generally involves some sort of offer to purchase, or lease purchase, an unoccupied house. They just go ahead and move in (often without your permission), then play games with the court system when you try to get them out. It can take a very long time to get these pests out of the door. In the meantime, they loot and destroy the house, while living for free.
(3) Oops, the check is for the wrong amount! This involves giving you a counterfeit check, for an amount larger than agreed, when making a deposit on the house. "I trust you, just deposit it and give me back the difference" is the next shoe to drop. You give them the money, later the check bounces, and your buyer is nowhere to be found.
These scams all leave a path of devastation in your life. Many victims lose their homes. Homes which are tainted by scam sellers often become virtually unsellable. These scammers are some of the most toxic individuals on the planet.
Often scams are blended, some new wrinkle is added, or a whole new scam comes along. Like maybe using info that got from you about your house to leverage themselves into control of your bank account.
No guarantees, but this one smells strongly like a scammer to me.
Selling real estate these days is no picnic. Scammers count on sellers feeling desperate. But I think you just have to be willing to let some "prospects" walk. You certainly need to limit yourself on giving information out - I would say that most things would require they come look at the house.
Even that is no guarantee - maybe act like you're a little strange, and like to take a picture of everyone who tours the house? I think having a professional in the mix (a real professional, not just a neighbor lady who sells real estate on the side) is probably worth the expense. I would absolutely rule out anyone who wants to buy the house without having seen it, or anyone who "has a story". Likewise, any offer which is to good to be true, or "complicated" should set off alarms. Be on the watch for strange activity. And if the house is unoccupied, know that you are at a greater risk. No one wants to fend off a legal battle with multiple "buyers" of your home.
Good luck.
LS
First, the number: At first glance the call appears to originate from a cell phone out of Seattle, but there is a segment in (206) 407- , specifically, the (206) 407-3xxx segment, which belongs to Broadwing. Since your inquiry uses a phone number squarely in that segment, I am going to assume that this is a VOIP call. Now, if I called you, I am using VOIP, so it isn't an automatic death sentence, but it should make your spidey-sense tingle just a little bit. It is entirely possible that this call came from anywhere in the world. If I wanted to, I could call you from that same segment, and I promise you I am not in Seattle.
You got a note? Now that is really weird. In fact that should have your spidey-sense ringing in your ears. Scammers love to do this sort of thing. They think it makes them seem legit and it makes it easier to dodge your questions. Also, a lot of scammers are not all that keyed in on the culture here, and don't realize what rings true, or what sounds an alarm bell.
I'm guessing (actually I feel certain) that this is a scammer. But let's talk about that a bit.
I'm really hoping you didn't put your house on Craig's List, or any other goofy Internet sell it yourself site? If so, you just painted a huge bullseye on yourself. Take it down. Now. I'll wait here...
Okay, new scams come up all the time, but lets start with some that have been popular.
(1) Selling someone else's house. This one is very popular these days. The scammer contacts you pretending to be a potential buyer, and gathers as much info from you as they can. Pictures and such as well if they can get them. Then they put your house up for sale (and they are a lot more competitive in their pricing than you are!). They always have some sort of story - I'm overseas in the military, and my Mom died, I've been transferred and I have to sell my house, whatever. Or, sometimes, if the house is empty, and they are actually operating in your area, they will meet people to show them the house! How do they get in? It is easy. There is a way to stick a key in the lock and open it, even if it isn't the correct key (I'm not going to spell the method out here). Some of them go as far as changing the locks! The goal of this scam is to gather up as much "earnest money" as they can. They will sell your house to multiple buyers, cash the checks, and move on to their next house.
(2) Living in someone else's house. This generally involves some sort of offer to purchase, or lease purchase, an unoccupied house. They just go ahead and move in (often without your permission), then play games with the court system when you try to get them out. It can take a very long time to get these pests out of the door. In the meantime, they loot and destroy the house, while living for free.
(3) Oops, the check is for the wrong amount! This involves giving you a counterfeit check, for an amount larger than agreed, when making a deposit on the house. "I trust you, just deposit it and give me back the difference" is the next shoe to drop. You give them the money, later the check bounces, and your buyer is nowhere to be found.
These scams all leave a path of devastation in your life. Many victims lose their homes. Homes which are tainted by scam sellers often become virtually unsellable. These scammers are some of the most toxic individuals on the planet.
Often scams are blended, some new wrinkle is added, or a whole new scam comes along. Like maybe using info that got from you about your house to leverage themselves into control of your bank account.
No guarantees, but this one smells strongly like a scammer to me.
Selling real estate these days is no picnic. Scammers count on sellers feeling desperate. But I think you just have to be willing to let some "prospects" walk. You certainly need to limit yourself on giving information out - I would say that most things would require they come look at the house.
Even that is no guarantee - maybe act like you're a little strange, and like to take a picture of everyone who tours the house? I think having a professional in the mix (a real professional, not just a neighbor lady who sells real estate on the side) is probably worth the expense. I would absolutely rule out anyone who wants to buy the house without having seen it, or anyone who "has a story". Likewise, any offer which is to good to be true, or "complicated" should set off alarms. Be on the watch for strange activity. And if the house is unoccupied, know that you are at a greater risk. No one wants to fend off a legal battle with multiple "buyers" of your home.
Good luck.
LS
| Writer 2012-04-27 07:23:32 Unknown |
Got a note from someone using this number saying they want to buy our house. Before calling, I'd like to know more about this party.
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