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INVESTIGATE ALL LEADS:
Use your Forewarn app (a NO-COST member benefit provided by Maine Listings).
-Conduct a reverse lookup of the telephone number in FOREWARN and if it comes back with anything other than the expected person – investigate further.
-Conduct a reverse name search in FOREWARN and call the number(s) provided to confirm the person’s identity and whether they did indeed contact you to list the property.
In addition, you should verify information about the listing property and owner with the town/municipal tax records and the registry of deeds.
For prospective sellers who are not physically located near you/the property, ask them to Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime with you for a first meeting – and ask them to show their identification on the screen. While scammers may also have fraudulent identification, they are likely to be unwilling to show their face on a screen. You can use a phrase like, “it’s our office protocol for new customers and clients”. If they’re unwilling, likely a red flag. It is not enough to receive identification via email since scammers are using fake passports and/or drivers licenses.
Recently we have been notified that 55 Wilson Road, Kittery and 52 Tidewater Way, Wells are NOT for sale by their lawful owners.
BE CAUTIOUS – COURTESY LEADS:
REALTORS® are receiving “courtesy leads”, “profile leads”, or leads “from the app” from major real estate portals. Many of these “leads” are potential fraudulent sellers. As a reminder, follow the instructions above and do your due diligence to verify information about the listing property and the property’s legitimate owner.
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