Beware of Scams and Other Internet Fraud

While we'd like to think everyone is honest and respectful of each other, unfortunately, that's not always the case.

Scams are a reality of the Internet. Zillow strives to provide a safe online community where users can easily contact one another with advice and information relating to real estate, but there is one critical heads up you should take wherever you go:

Always be wary of giving personal information, financial information, or payments of any kind to people you don't know personally.

Zillow does not screen user e-mails. Most contacts via Zillow are legitimate, but some may be trying to fool you. To reduce your chances of exposure to fraudulent activity and to ensure the best possible Zillow experience, please take some basic steps to protect yourself:

Use Caution with the Following:

• Long distance inquiries. Although Zillow enables long-distance as well as local interactions between users, you should take extra care in long-distance situations, especially from users in foreign countries. We have seen a number of scam attempts that involve individuals in foreign countries who say they are interested in purchasing homes.
• Requests for personal and or financial information. With identity theft on the rise, it is a good general rule to provide your personal/financial information sparingly, and only to trusted sources.
• Requests that you send or wire funds. Although this seems obvious, you should never agree to accept and/or wire funds for anything you did not initiate.
• Offers to facilitate a home purchase or loan by an individual claiming an affiliation with Zillow. Zillow acts only as a source of information and is not involved in any transactions between buyers and sellers or borrowers and lenders. Any such offers are fraudulent activity.

Who to Contact for Possible Fraud:

• Federal Trade Commission:  via its toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) or the FTC online complaint form
• Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• Non-emergency number for your local police department.

Examples of Scams:
Below are three fraudulent e-mails that we are replicating here verbatim. They were actually received by Zillow users.

Scam Example #1:
 "Thanks for the speedy response,i am really excited that the house is in good condition, and i really love the pictures of the house i have seen so far, i would not mind to see more pictures of the home, i would like to know if i would have any repairs what so ever.

I work with the United nations development program(UNDP).I have been working there for 5 years.

I am married with no kid. I and my Wife actually got married last year. My Full name is PXXXX AXXXX kXXXX and my Wife's name is  MXXXX DXXXX kXXXX.she is a school teacher,I am 39 years old and my wife is 35.Our current house address is 3XXXXXXXXXXXXX, EXXXXX Edinburgh Scotland.

I have never bought a property abroad before, this would be my first, and i am not working alongside any agents,i also want to know how soon you are willing to move out of the house.I and my wife are looking to relocate as soon as we have found a home we like,i would also like to know your final price for this property. please kindly get back to me asap."


This is the follow-up from a Zillow user:
"I just wanted to let FSBO sellers know that I listed my house on Zillow a few weeks ago, and I received an email from a man in Scotland wanting to buy my house. He sent me (3) $1,000.00 money grams, one of which was a deposit to hold the house. He sent an Urgent email yesterday stating that his company (United Nations) sent us $2,000.00 by mistake to send it back to him. He wanted new money orders from my bank. I emailed him back telling him that I checked with money gram and I was told they could not find any information to verify them. I haven't heard back from him, nor do I expect to."

Scam Example #2:

"Dear Linda,
I have received the information concerning your house,the price is $239,750.Am very confident dealing with you.I am willing and capable to buy the property,but i want to trust you with this confidential proposal.
Before i continue, let me introduce myself to you, I am Captain IXXXX HXXXX the commander of the Special N.A.T.O coalition force with the United Nation troops in Iraq,on war against terrorism.My country is germany.
I have now in my possession the sum of USD 6.5 million which was recovered from one of our raids on terrorists camps here in Iraq,because they keep most of their money at home for evil activities which they normally get through illegal deals on crude oil.

Based on the suffering we undergo here some of us do meet such luck. It happened that in our last raid last week we raided one of the terrorist strong base here in Iraq,though some of the men in my unit lost thier lives in the fierce attacks,and we recovered this huge sum of money.This box of money have been deposited with the RED CROSS OFFICE here in Baghdd informing them that  contacts are been made for its safe keeping and to make contacts for its proper use . As the team leader it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this money.

So i need someone i can deal with on trust and that is why i contacted you. so If you accept, I will put you forward as the beneficiary/owner of the funds and then move the money to you in Europe first. As  a military personnel i cannot  parade such an amount or carry it to my country so i need to present someone as the beneficiary.I just need your acceptance and all is done.I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic courier service to you in Europe where  arrangements will be made to proceed to your country America.

Once i confirm your interest to my proposal.and your positive reply i will proceed to register your name as the beneficiary.

If you are interested, then let me know so i can proceed to register the consignment in your name as time is very important to me. I am doing this on trust, you should understand that as a trained military expert I will always be carefully in my dealings so everything is intact. This money is my life and i am willing to give you 30% of the total sum when the money is delivered to you. I wait for your response so we can proceed immediately. In less than 7days the money should be in your safe custody.

The only telephone access we have is radio message which is for our general use and is being monitored,therefore all communication will be via email till we finish our assignment here and fly straight to your country to meet you. Thank God that the new President Elect, Barrack Obama whose keen interest is to call us back home soon."
 
Regards
Capt.IXXXX HXXXX"


Scam Example #3:

"I am interested in purchasing the property on 17 LXXXX Rd, CXXX HXXXX VXXXX CO XXXXX.Although the price is much "$4,000,000". But i will convince my client regarding the property is a Single Family Residential. I know he must like it. I will like to view the copy of the contract of sale. As you are the real owner for this property. I will like to view the contract of sale. So it can be checked for any irregularities. Once the contract is okay and has been given the thumbs up by my client. I can then contact you and make an offer accorden to your request or Advise. I look forward hearing from you

Sincerely, Mr. CXXXX KXXXX BXXXX
7XXXX TXXXX bldg. 1-XX-XX HXXXX-IXXXX, TXXXX-XX ,
Tokyo Japan."


Bottom line:
Be wary, be safe, be smart.