Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC knows you work hard for your money. That is why we want to provide you with some tips that may help you avoid being scammed.
EMPLOYMENT SCAM ALERT
Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Realogy. Realogy has learned that a number of its Brands are being used to perpetrate a fraud. Unauthorized individuals impersonating recruiters for Realogy Brands are posting sham job opportunities on third party websites, sending unsolicited emails regarding employment opportunities and/or setting up interviews via Google Hangout. The impersonators ultimately seek to obtain bank account information and other personal information for fraudulent purposes.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT REALOGY AND ITS BRANDS DO NOT OPERATE IN THIS MANNER. YOU SHOULD BE WARY OF ANY SUCH REQUEST AS IT MAY BE AN ATTEMPTED IDENTITY THEFT. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ANY JOB POSTING YOU CAN CHECK OUR POSTINGS ON REALOGY.COM.
Coldwell Banker has recently been made aware of a certain scam or phishing email involving an attacker leveraging a rouge server in Nigeria to spoof emails as the President of Coldwell Banker "Charlie Young". The attacker is sending a very simple phishing message that is designed to solicit a response from the recipient. the reply responses are directed to a Gmail account ceoprivate2x@gmail.com, via a hidden Reply-to Field where the attacker can then engage in further social engineering.
Please Exercise Caution Before Opening an Email Appearing to Come from Charlie Young. If it looks suspicious, delete it.
We recommend that you block any emails that contain ceoprivate2x@gmail.com in the header.
Thanks in advance.
Coldwell Banker Customer Care
(p) 973-407-7261
customercare@coldwellbanker.com
Beware of scams perpetuated through the telephone and through e-mails in which scammers cold-call small businesses identifying themselves as representatives of "Coldwell Banker's Preferred Contractor" program (or something similar variations) offering the business to be their exclusive contractor in the area. They offer to include ads featuring the business on printed materials distributed by local Coldwell Banker agents and brokers. This is followed up by emails offering this deal "at no cost to Coldwell Banker", the only cost being the direct cost to the printer, New Horizon Concepts (or some other false name), which the business is required to pay. The scammer actually just pockets the money without delivering the goods. Please be advised that Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC and coldwellbanker.com are not in any way connected to this solicitation which is in fact fraudulent. If it's too good to be true, it isn't true.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE HOMEBUYERS AND TENANTS REGARDING FRAUDULENT BANK WIRING INSTRUCTION SCHEMES
Recently, there have been increased reports across the nation of a theft scheme that involves hackers stealing email addresses and sending fraudulent wiring instructions to homebuyers and tenants. REALTORS®, lawyers, title agents and buyers could be affected. The criminal scheme has many variations and this notice is not intended to describe each situation. As an actual or prospective buyer or tenant, we want to alert you to the situation so that you can minimize the risk that you could be a victim.
We strongly recommend that before you wire any funds to any party (including your own lawyer, real estate broker or title agent whom you know to be involved in your transaction) that you personally call them to verify the wire instructions (you should confirm the ABA routing number or SWIFT code and the credit account number). You should call them at a number that you have obtained on your own (e.g., the sales contract, their website, etc.) and should not use the phone number that is contained in any email - even if the email appears to be from someone you know. A common aspect of the scheme involves the criminal hacking the sender's email (unbeknownst to them) and sending you an email that looks like other legitimate emails you have received from that party. The email contains the criminal's wire instructions and may contain the criminal's phone number and once your funds are wired by your bank to the criminal's account there may be no way to recover those funds.
PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION BEFORE WIRING FUNDS TO ANY PARTY
This Important Notice is not intended to provide legal advice. You should consult with a lawyer if you have any questions.
Coldwell Banker has recently become been made aware of a scam perpetuated through the telephone and through e-mails from the root "@coldwellbankerllc.com". Please be advised that Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC and coldwellbanker.com are not in any way connected to this solicitation which is in fact fraudulent. The scammers cold-call small businesses identifying themselves as representatives of "Coldwell Banker's Preferred Contractor" program (or something similar variations) offering the business to be their exclusive contractor in the area. They offer to include ads featuring the business on printed materials distributed by local Coldwell Banker agents and brokers. This is followed up by emails from the @coldwellbankerllc.com email addresses offering this deal "at no cost to Coldwell Banker", the only cost being the direct cost to the printer, New Horizon Concepts, which the business must is required to pay. We have identified the scammer is actually to be the printer and so just who pockets the money without delivering the goods. Regardless of whether the materials are actually printed, since this is a scam unaffiliated with Coldwell Banker, the materials are never distributed by Coldwell Banker agents and brokers as promised.
It has come to our attention that various Internet solicitations have appeared with increased frequency on such posting boards as Craigslist.com encouraging consumers to deposit escrow funds to secure an apartment via payment through Western Union payable to www.coldwellbanker.com. Please be advised that Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC and coldwellbanker.com are not in any way connected to this solicitation which is in fact fraudulent. Craigslist, Western Union and law enforcement are being advised.
Additionally, we have been made aware of an Advance Fee Scams involving the unauthorized use of a brand name such as the Coldwell Banker® brand name, website and email address or association to the brand via Facebook or other social media platform.
The scammer lures the victim (e.g., a prospective tenant) by posting an offer of a high-standard apartment or other rental property for low cost or sending information via Messenger about such a property, and showing pictures of the apartment/property. The scammer uses online classified ad services such as craigslist.org to post such offers or creates a fake Facebook profile claiming an affiliation with the Coldwell Banker System. The victim is told that the renter is "traveling," "vacationing abroad" or "relocating" or that the landlord is not available to show the property, or some similar excuse that will discourage the victim from seeing the property. The victim is required to pay a deposit via Western Union (or MoneyGram, etc) in exchange for the "keys" to the property. In an effort to instill confidence in this transaction, the scammer fraudulently claims to have listed the apartment with a local Coldwell Banker office and arranges for a fraudulent email notification posing as a Coldwell Banker representative (and using Coldwell Banker logos) to be sent to the victim or sends such information or payment instructions via Facebook Messenger. The scammer disappears once the deposit is received, leaving the prospective tenant defrauded.
Here are some tips to help you avoid such scams:
• KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE SENDING MONEY TO - you receive an email from a Coldwell Banker Sales Associate with payment instructions, call the requesting office using the phone number located in our Office Search.
• CRAIGSLIST, FACEBOOK AND SIMILAR SITES ARE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and DO NOT handle payments, guarantee transactions or provide escrow services.
• USE CAUTION WHEN GIVING OUT FINANCIAL AND OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION VIA EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS (bank account number, credit card number, social security number, etc.)
• AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
• These types of scams often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before withdrawing your money - this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
• PROPERTY/APARTMENT LISTING MAY BE LOCAL, but landlord/owner is "travelling" or "relocating" and needs you to wire money to them abroad.
Most scams involve one or more of the following:
• Inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
• Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee."
• Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating transaction.
Who should you notify about fraud or scam attempts?
• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
• Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)
• Non-emergency number for your local police department.
• The government agency in your country responsible for dealing with fraud
Thanks in advance.
Coldwell Banker Customer Care
(p) 973-407-7261