�ǿ��app�� - Consumer Alerts

Scam Alert! Make Sure You Know If A Message Is From Us

Christine Anderson — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 17:12:23 +0000

UPDATE: Due to a recent resurgence of SPAM messages being sent out to our license holders, we wanted to remind you of these tips to help keep your information secure!

Scammers or Spammers sometimes try to copy and email and text from messages from �ǿ��app�� or TALCB to trick you into providing personal information. We know this can be confusing and frustrating, and we want to help make sure you don't fall victim to these schemes.

First, �ǿ��app�� will never:
- ask for passwords in an email; or
- ask for credit card or banking information by email.
Secondly, never follow links or open attachments in suspicious or unsolicited messages. If you believe you need to change or update personal information, or make a payment, contact us by emailing or going to our website directly.
Lastly, there are a few hallmarks to the spammy email. Much of it is in the word choice. Typical spam email words include an offer, a threat, an ask for money, or transferring money to a bank account. A phishing email may contain a link to reset a password, log in to an account, or the craftiest phishing scam link is prompting the reader to supposedly unsubscribe. An easy opt-out of the phishing scam? Not likely. If an email is a phishing email, then hitting the unsubscribe -button, does just the opposite. It confirms to the spammer that this is indeed working and monitored email address.

In addition, below are some tips for you to help identify a possibly suspicious message:

Five Tips to Identify a Phishing Email Scam

Check the from email - make sure you know the email address!
Look at the "from" person's name (usually next to the email address) �� those usually don't match or are fake if it is a spam message!
Hover over those links and see if they match the (supposed) sender
Read the content and think about whether it is sensible
Contact the alleged sender from the contact information on the legitimate website NOT what’s in the email

For our current situation, here is what a real link would look like if you hover over it:

Now here is an example SPAM version of that link:

The revealed destination is a completely unrelated domain. The email should be marked as junk and/or deleted.

Finally, here is the link to a Google test that will educate users on identifying SPAM and Phishing emails.

News and Article Category:

Consumer Alerts

Scam Notice!!!

Christine Anderson — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 19:58:11 +0000

�ǿ��app�� has been made aware of a scam requesting information from license holders. The request is sent by email by someone posing as the Texas Real Estate Commission and asks that information be provided to them and provides a link to follow (see example emails).

Please disregard emails asking you to provide information to �ǿ��app��, especially anything linking to a third party website. If you have a question about a request for payment from �ǿ��app��, you can contact us at: [email protected]">[email protected] with “SCAM Notice�� in the subject line.

Robert Miller, Your payroll details need updating, please click below to start the update.

Update Your Account Details

Dear, Robert Miller

We have recently upgraded our database system, as a security measure we need you to confirm your details for your License.

Please review and enter your details at the link above - by clicking on the "Update Your Account Details" above button.

Failure to update your acount details will result in possible loss of course credit information for this calendar year 2018. Please make sure to update the details as soon as possible.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Texas Real Estate Commision

News and Article Category:

Consumer Alerts

Watch Out for Rental Fraud Scams in Texas

Sierra Pizarro — Fri, 24 May 2024 17:58:12 +0000

They are still happening: Real estate leasing scams continue to pose a threat to property owners in Texas, especially in the greater Houston area, prompting the Texas Real Estate Commission (�ǿ��app��) to issue warnings such as this press release sent to more than a dozen news outlets—most of them based in the southeastern part of the state—including The Houston Chronicle, Bisnow, and The Real Deal.

�ǿ��app��'s Enforcement Division, led by Director Michael Molloy, is tracking these fraudulent property leasing activities.

"Over the past two years, there's been a noticeable increase in rental scams, with a concentration in the greater Houston area. These scams are deceiving landlords, tenants, and even our license holders into fraudulent lease agreements," said Molloy.

Straight From the Case Files

�ǿ��app��'s 37-member enforcement division—which includes 10 attorneys, legal assistants, and investigators—is handling numerous rental fraud cases. Here are some real-life examples.

Hefty Violations Call for Hefty Penalties

A sales agent in Houston knowingly submitted lease applications with fake credit reports. �ǿ��app��’s investigation found the agent and co-conspirators were engaging in this type of conduct for several years. This activity resulted in a $115,000 administrative penalty, and the agent’s license was revoked.
A co-conspirator's license was also revoked and assessed a $48,750 administrative penalty.

Their scheme involved helping unqualified tenants obtain a lease by submitting inaccurate or falsified records regarding income, credit history, and prior evictions to property managers or landlords. Also, a false story included in applications would read in part:

“Let me know if my clients will work for you. I have deposit and 1st month rent in office. Will consider 2 year lease. They were approved on another property but owner decided to take an offer for sale. Thanks.��

Such misrepresentations are used as a ploy to distract and discourage the landlord or property manager from running a separate review of the applicant and may appear to bolster the legitimacy of otherwise fake documents.

Sales Agents, Sponsoring Broker Disciplined Together

Case 1

A sales agent engaged in a scheme placing unqualified applicants by submitting fraudulent lease applications for at least seven single-family homes between December 1, 2022, and May 12, 2023. Four leases were executed based on those fraudulent applications.
The Commission found the sponsoring broker failed to adequately supervise the agent and was reprimanded and ordered to pay a $1,000 administrative penalty.
The sales agent’s license was revoked.

Case 2

A Houston broker was sponsoring three sales agents who submitted fraudulent lease applications (incorrect credit scores, work histories, incomes) for at least 24 single family homes between May 2022 and September 2022.
After each lease was executed, someone other than the applicant would move into the property.
The broker was formally reprimanded and ordered to pay a $1,000 penalty.
- One agent’s license was revoked and assessed a $31,000 penalty.
- A second agent’s license was revoked and assessed a $26,500 penalty.
- A third agent’s license was placed on probated suspension.

How To Avoid Trouble

As these property rental scams persist, �ǿ��app�� staff emphasizes the importance of due diligence, even if you use a real estate license holder to find a tenant. Be sure to review the details you receive in a rental application. If something feels off, don’t be afraid to ask questions, or consult with another license holder or an attorney. �ǿ��app�� urges all Texans to stay informed and be proactive in combating real estate fraud.

About Disciplinary Actions

License revocation: The individual’s license is stripped and means they cannot practice real estate activity.

License suspension: The individual cannot practice real estate activity for a defined period.

Probated suspension: The individual can practice real estate activity but if the license holders violate the terms and conditions of the order, the license will be suspended for the defined period.

Administrative penalties: Fines for violations of �ǿ��app�� rules or The Real Estate License Act.

News and Article Category:

Ongoing Fraud: There's Another Scheme License Holders Should Be Aware Of

Sierra Pizarro — Fri, 19 May 2023 19:43:25 +0000

The Texas Real Estate Commission is assisting the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA) in educating license holders of trending fraud schemes.

Over the last several months, TLTA is seeing more people fall victim to seller impersonators. Prime target properties are vacant land or investment property such as vacation homes, second homes, rental properties, and any other instance where the tax mailing address is different than the property owner’s address.

Here's How It Starts

A typical scenario includes the impersonator calling a sales agent for a property to be listed below market value, so that the potential buyer thinks the purchase is a bargain. To lure the agent into taking the listing, the fake seller might say, “This is a quick sale."

“This type of fraud is terrifying because of how much it has increased and how quickly," said David Tandy, chair of TLTA's Seller Impersonation Fraud Task Force. “Until that real seller decides to do something like refinance or sell the property, they are not aware of the fraudulent transaction involving their property. And by that point, the duped buyer has lost all their money, the real estate agents have lost their commissions, and the entire transaction is void.��

Red Flags

The property in question involves vacant land or an owner not living on property.
Imposter Seller wants a quick sale.
Imposter Seller wants a cash sale.
The property is listed below market value.
Imposter Seller only wants to communicate by email or text and does not want to meet in person.
Imposter Seller's phone area code is unrecognizable or foreign.

What To Do

Before listing a property, make sure property owners are verified. Start by getting a copy of two forms of ID. Ask for a recent utility bill. Ask questions about the property that only the true owner would know. Look for the red flags above and trust your gut.

“This just suddenly exploded. We’ve seen similar forged deed fraud in the past, but this new type of fraud is just pervasive" said Leslie Midgley, executive vice president and CEO of TLTA. "These criminals are highly sophisticated with their schemes and hard to detect if you aren’t vigilant. Title agents and underwriters have implemented many best practices to try and shut these transactions down, but there is much work to be done as significant losses have already occurred and the criminals seem to be increasing their efforts, not retreating."

"Realtors are also at risk of representing someone who is not the rightful owner to the property they are trying to sell. Realtors can be a huge part of the solution if they know the red flags to look for and understand how important their role is."

Reporting Fraud

Fraud can be reported online to the Federal Trade Commission. This type of crime is also being tracked by the United States Secret Service.

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Articles

Consumer Alerts

Enforcement

License Revocation Makes News

Christine Anderson — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 15:43:31 +0000

Recently, the Commission was mentioned in a news story about a former license holder whose license was revoked by the agency. Although this kind of fraudulent behavior is not typical for �ǿ��app�� license holders, this serves as an important reminder that Texans should always investigate any real estate service providers they engage or work with.

Anyone can easily check out the official records of a real estate license holder online for free, using our license holder lookup tool and our disciplinary action tool. The agency encourages consumers to visit our website and to use these tools before hiring a real estate service provider in Texas.

News and Article Category:

Consumer Alerts

Beware of Possible Scams before Sending Money via Wire Transfer

Christine Anderson — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 18:58:53 +0000

Before wiring money for an escrow deposit or to close on a home purchase, License Holders should make sure to talk with their clients to ensure they are sending funds to the correct recipient and account. Consumers should not rely on instructions sent by email without contacting their broker or sales agent to verify the instructions are correct, since emails may be hijacked by potential scammers. Check out this article for more information on what to look out for and avoid.

News and Article Category:

Consumer Alerts

�ǿ�����app���� - Consumer Alerts

Scam Alert! Make Sure You Know If A Message Is From Us

UPDATE: Due to a recent resurgence of SPAM messages being sent out to our license holders, we wanted to remind you of these tips to help keep your information secure!

In addition, below are some tips for you to help identify a possibly suspicious message:

Five Tips to Identify a Phishing Email Scam

For our current situation, here is what a real link would look like if you hover over it:

Now here is an example SPAM version of that link:

Finally, here is the link to a Google test that will educate users on identifying SPAM and Phishing emails.

Scam Notice!!!

Watch Out for Rental Fraud Scams in Texas

Straight From the Case Files

Hefty Violations Call for Hefty Penalties

Sales Agents, Sponsoring Broker Disciplined Together

Case 1

Case 2

How To Avoid Trouble

Ongoing Fraud: There's Another Scheme License Holders Should Be Aware Of

Here's How It Starts

Red Flags

What To Do

Reporting Fraud

License Revocation Makes News

Beware of Possible Scams before Sending Money via Wire Transfer

�ǿ��app�� - Consumer Alerts