By Johanna Wiseman
Real estate websites provide entertainment for many people. My friends scroll through real estate listings as they might look at any other kind of social media: with equal parts curiosity, aspiration, and Fear Of Missing Out. Some have set listing alerts so that a newly listed property will trigger a message to their email inbox or a text notification with linked photos and information. Similarly, browsing online vacation rentals is a source of amusement for many people, even when they are not actively planning a trip.
Technology delivers instant information, but it’s not always factual. As with any type of online marketing, real estate platforms are vulnerable to exploitation. Unscrupulous grifters are finding new ways to lure victims, including posting bogus real estate listings. Photos of current and past listings are available online, so it’s possible to digitally clip and repurpose photos to create an enticing false sale or vacation rental. Online thieves create a temporary profile and advertise a property, and when interested parties take the bait, deposits are made and lost as the criminal quickly deletes the account and disappears with your money. Contact with scammers can involve more than just money; if you inquire about a bogus property and are prompted to follow a link or enter contact information, you could also be at risk for hacking or identity theft.
So look, but don’t touch! Don’t follow up directly with anyone you don’t know. Here is one more example of why it’s important to have a professional relationship with a real person, a local real estate agent who can both advise you and check internal property records to verify whether a home is actually for sale. And in the case of vacation rentals, it might be best to use an agency that specializes in the area you’re considering.
In other words, if a property for sale or rent looks too good to be true, beware. Some warning signs to look out for include poor spelling and grammar. Scammers are now using AI for their descriptions, so the spelling is better, but some things still don’t make sense. Those errors are your warning flag. For example, a recent local home was listed for sale on Zillow with actual photos of the property from a previous sale. In the bulleted features, one of the key phrases was “Quiet Luxury Dishwater.” Oops! If scammers weren’t so dangerous, their errors would be funny. Next, the website promises more “OHOTOS” are coming soon. A quick call to your real estate agent will clarify whether this or any other property is legitimately for sale, without your taking any internet security risks.
My warning is clear: be on the lookout for false advertising online, and be careful who you contact.
Local expert Johanna Wiseman of RE/MAX Preferred Professionals can be reached at 908-705-0652, or visit MyBridgewaterHome.com.
