Shopping by Good Faith Estimate? - You Lose!

The Good Faith Estimate Scam

Here's the truth.

A loan officer can out right lie on the GFE.

Surprised? Don't be.
They can and some will lie to you for one reason, to get your loan.
There are a lot of bad people out there in all aspects of the real estate world, and there are a lot of good people as well.

The government had a great idea in mandating the GFE to all borrowers. Unfortunately they also some left very large loop holes.
The Good Faith Estimate does not have to be accurate - AT ALL!

Some of the most common tricks are

• Points and Fees can be grossly under estimated
  or even omitted,
• Rates can be based on extremely short
  Lock Periods,
• Intentionally quoting Programs that they know the
  borrower won't qualify,
• 3rd Party Fees can be grossly under estimated
  or even omitted,
• Prepaid Expenses (Taxes, Insurance) are often
  manipulated to their minimum,
• Title and Escrow charges can be grossly
  under estimated or even omitted.

The loan docs you sign in the end may have
absolutely no resemblance to the original
Good Faith Estimate.

Good Faith Lies

What can the consumer do?

How do you protect yourself?
How do you compare?
How do you shop?

There are so many hidden items stacked against you.
So many things that you would never know.
The best thing I can say is that still in this day and age, you have to trust your instincts.

A REAL Good Faith Estimate is based on

• a REAL Interest Rate,
• with a REAL Lock Period,
• for a REAL Loan Program,
• scheduled to close on a REAL date,
• with REAL Prepaid Estimates,
• and REAL Fees.

We prepare a REAL Good Faith Estimates for all our Clients! Not just one GFE, but a new, updated, accurate GFE every time the loan parameters change. By the time we get to the closing table you know exactly what you'll be signing!

We even Guarantee Our Closing Costs in writing! (GFE Section 800 *)

* (Section 800 contains all lender fees)

Are you ready for a REAL Good Faith Estimate?
Mike@PatagoniaFinance.com or (925) 288-9977 Ext 104

Related Posts: The 7 Deadliest Mortgage Mistakes

Bait and Switch

Everyday there is at least one email or phone call from someone who is a victim of bait and switch on their mortgage.

This may come as a surprise to you but I'm okay with the occasional complaint about a loan officer's incompetence screwing up someone's mortgage.  I'm okay with the occasional complaint about loan officer greed and overcharging.  In both instances the borrower had the ability to determine who and what they are dealing with and fix the situation.

I'm not okay with the Bait and Switch business model so many mortgage originators are using out there. 

WHY?

Because to the borrower, it's so very hard to see the Bait and Switch coming before it's too late.  We, in the business can see it a mile away.  To the poor unknowing borrower, these scam artists look like us, they talk like us, they even ask for the same documentation as us.  Which is why the "Bait and Switch" even happens to smart people who should know better.

I shot a 15 minute video that I hope explains the bait and switch.  It's 14 minutes longer than what I would prefer but all of it needs to be said.  If you cannot spend 15 minutes of time learning how to better protect yourself - maybe you need to learn the lesson the hard way.

VIDEO NOT YOUR STYLE?

Maybe the following flowchart will help.  It's not an absolute, there are too many variables involved but this might serve as a good reference.

True Mortgage Professionals	The BAIT and SWITCH
Mortgage Quote based on 13 vital loan and credit profile aspects and current accurate interest rates.	Mortgage Quote based on "best day" past interest rates and assuming "best possible" scenario.  Often times no rate sheet is used.
Requests a complete loan application.  Bank Statements, Pay Stubs, and Full Tax Returns. (May an easy online application but still wants all the documentation)	Requests a loan application.  It may be a mini application.  No other documentation needed at this time.  "We'll see if we need anything else later."
The Good Faith Estimate Within 3 days of application the Loan Officer will send a Good Faith Estimate based on what they see as the potential real costs for the loan.  Over the course of the closing the Loan Officer will continually update and refine these costs as the terms of the loan may change.	The Good Faith Estimate Unfortunately the GFE sent by the Bait and Switch Artist has been manipulated to obscure the real costs.  Although it is federally mandated, it's accuracy is not checked.  Because of this loophole, they use the incorrect GFE as a sales tool.
Pulls Credit Report and shares the findings with borrower.  Identifies any possible shortcomings and suggests solutions.  Cost of the actual credit report may be paid by the borrower.	May pull the Credit Report but more than likely will defer pulling credit until after the appraisal.  Findings are not openly shared.  Borrower may be referred to "credit fixing" company for a yielding a hefty  referral fee to the loan officer.
With the Credit Report, Complete Loan Application, and Complete Documentation in hand a Conditional Loan Approval is obtained.  At this point the one missing item is the appraisal.	The Borrower Paid Appraisal is ordered.  This runs a couple of hundred dollars.  Although the appraisal was paid for by the borrower, it's not released to the borrower immediately and often not until at least 90 days after the loan is canceled.  This is just one way to entrap the borrower.
Only now is the Appraisal ordered.  Borrower also pays for the actual cost and is given a copy as soon as it is completed.	Sorry No Updates.  One of the key factors in the Bait and Switch is to string you along.
Phone Calls and Questions are returned promptly.  The Loan Officer knows exactly where the file is, and what status it is in at all times during the entire process.  The borrower knows exactly what loan and the terms of the loan at all times.	Phone Calls and Questions are not returned.  Often times the Loan Officer, when finally reached will say, "The file is in process" or "it's in underwriting" Specific details of the transaction are never answered.
The Rate Lock.  The Rate can be locked anytime during the process.  Once a particular loan program has been identified the Loan Officer will look for dips in the market.  These dips will save the borrower thousands of dollars over the course of their loan.  All benefit of the dip will be passed directly to the borrower.  The  rate lock confirmation from the Lender's Lock Desk will be sent to the borrower detailing the specifics of the rate lock.	The Pseudo Rate Lock.  The loan is never really locked.  The borrower is given a verbal rate lock or told they are "in line" for getting the best rate.  If rates happen to dip below the quoted rate the loan officer will lock at a the lower rate but pocket the difference themselves. No written Rate Lock is ever offered.
Constant Updates Your Loan Officer calls or emails you constantly.  You are kept continuously informed at all times.  They call you many times before you have a chance to call them.	Finally with Appraisal in hand the loan is sent to the processor or "Closing Specialist".  They are in charge of gathering all the missing documentation.  Once received, you'll be hearing from them again soon. - Sorry.
The Underwriter? We passed that stage way back there!  We have an approval.  We have satisfied all conditions.  Yes there might have been speed bumps or turbulence along the way.  Often times your Loan Officer saw it before it happened and diverted around it or took steps to minimize it.	The Underwriter.  They are not part of the Bait and Switch.  They work for the Lender.  They will analyze the documentation provided and issue a conditional loan approval.  At this time the rate adjustments will be finally known.    That best case scenario that was initially offered cannot possibly be completed.  They can do the loan but at a much higher rate or much higher fees.
The Phone Call. The Loan officer has reviewed the Estimated Closing Statement from the title company.   Everything is going according to plan.  The Rate and fees are the same as quoted.    They call the borrower and ask when and where they would like to sign the loan documentation. "Yes, I know it's a week  before closing was scheduled, but we can close early if you like..."	The Phone Call. This may come from the Loan Officer, but chances are it'll come from the "Closing Specialist". "We're sorry to inform you that the underwriter has <insert your favorite excuse here> and we have a problem. I know you're scheduled to close a couple of days from now and we might be able to make it.  However to do so, we cannot do it at the quoted interest rate." Yes, they do know that steam is now coming out your ears.  Remember, they do this all the time.  They know what you are going to do before you do.
They've got you! You signed the loan papers you thought you would be signing.  The rates and terms were identical to what was quoted. You were informed all along the way. Your Loan Officer looked out for your best interest and advised you properly.  You now have a loan that best matches your wants, needs and goals.  Not to mention that your Loan Officer advised you when to lock.  That move alone saved you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan! According to you, your trusted true mortgage professional is a star.  You go on to tell everyone you know about the difference a single person can make.	They've got you! You walked right into their trap.  You were initially drawn in by low rates and fees.  The False Good Faith Estimate helped reinforce your commitment. The hook was set when you paid for the Appraisal or Application Fee.  By stringing you along to the very end they've  effectively stopped you from going elsewhere.   Out of sheer desperation you agree to their new rates and fees. According to you, all mortgage people are lying, thieving, stealing slimeballs.

DISCLAIMER:

Although I hope this helps, in my heart I know full well that someone out there will read this lengthy article, they'll watch all 15 minutes of the video, and then they'll be seduced by the very next Bait and Switch Artist they come across.

Maybe P.T. Barnum was right after all.

Related Posts:  The 7 Deadliest Mortgage Mistakes

The 7 Deadliest Mistakes Made In Home Loans (#1)

This is the first in a seven part series of posts detailing the 7 Deadliest Mistakes borrowers make in shopping for a home mortgage.

Deadly Mistake # 1

Protect Yourself

Low Balling or Bait and Switch   It's the classic Bait and Switch scam. They offer you a rate that Doesn't exist, Can't be locked, Can't be closed in the time needed, Or you just don't qualify for. Every borrower says, "Not Me. I'll never fall for that!"   The Bait and Switch Artist knows that by stringing you along, by the time you get to the closing table, it'll be too late for you to walk away! They see it happen time and time again. They know it's going to happen. In fact, they count on it!

Don't Fall Prey to Bait and Switch Work with only those you can trust. Don't allow yourself to be Low Balled. Take the time to meet with them. If you are not 100% confident that they have your best interest at heart, - walk away! Financing a home is much too big of a transaction. Ask your True Mortgage Professional for at least 3 different options. (even a 30 yr fixed has various options). Ask them to explain the Pros and Cons of each.  Chances are, a True Mortgage Professional will have already started compiling various options for your consideration. As an added test, ask them what determines mortgage interest rates, if they say the 10 yr Note - Run Away! Are you ready to work with a True Mortgage Professional? Mike@PatagoniaFinance.com or (925) 288-9977 Ext 104

 

Will Brent Bring Down Zillow Mortgage?

I like Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.  I really do. 

I can't say I like the Mortgage people who are there right now.

Here comes a RANT....

Case in Point: 

Here's a wonderful piece of  trash.  This was a quote request where the Walnut Creek homeowner was looking for a real rate quote on a 30 yr. fixed mortgage.

This bucket of loan officer scum (not harsh enough) used the platform to spam this homeowner on one of the biggest scams going right now. 

The Home Ownership Accelerator. (click to read all about the program)

or if you like a little outside reading, here's 100,000 pages on the topic

Let's look a little deeper into his profile...

As Borat would say, "very nice!"

Brent is a Quote Farmer.  

He's a Scammer, a Spammer, a Liar and Cheat.  He and so many others like him, are the reason my industry holds such a poor image in the public eye today.

Chances are he has hired people to blast out as many un-quotes a day as possible.

Brent isn't alone.  Right now, Zillow is crawling with Bait and Switch Artists.

Some look like they are a single person (like Brent) but are in fact a corporation.  If enough people complain about Brent, they just replace Brent with John.  When John is retired they have Pete, and so on.

I know I'm being harsh on Brent.  I'm pissed as hell (pardon my language) that Zillow is going to allow Brent and the others to continue.  And they will. 

They believe it's up to the consumer to decipher the difference.  In the end, Zillow will be just fine.  Just like bad sellers on eBay haven't brought down that system.

Ok, I'm done Ranting.  Back to work.

Operation Homewrecker

  Sorry - Not this one.  Not this one either.

 Nor this one. 

How about these Homewrecker's? 

     

The Fed's have just busted a huge Foreclosure Rescue Scam, much of it operating in and around Sacramento, Tracy and Modesto.  They were preying on the homeowners who were in danger of losing their home to foreclosure.

It's called an Equity Scam.  It's nothing new.  Here's how it works...

You are in trouble.  You haven't paid your mortgage in over 3 months.  Your Lender files what is called a Notice of Default.  This is public record.  That means the bad guys now know about you.

There's a knock at the door.  It's a well dressed man.  He's even smiling.  He's obviously not a bill collector.  He says he knows about your problem.  He says can help. 

Better than helping, he has a proposition you can't refuse!

• He's going to help keep you in your home.
• He's going to help you rebuild your credit.
• He's going to help you keep your equity.

This sounds like an Angel was sent from above.  How's he going to do all this you ask?

He's got people.    He might even refer to his people as "Angel Investors".

"We're going to add my investor to the property title.  She'll charge you a low monthly rent while you continue to live here and rebuild your credit.  Then, in a year or two, when you are ready, she'll sell the property back to you.  Sounds good?  OK, sign here."

The problem is that his Angel Investor doesn't pay your mortgage.  She never intended to.  In some cases she might not even know she owns the property.  She might have been duped the same as you.  They do however collect your rent.  They might even sell your property out from under you then next day.  You don't get to keep the house, you don't get to rebuild your credit, you don't get to keep your equity.  You don't pass go, and you don't collect two Hundred dollars.

If you fall for one of these schemes the next thing you'll hear might be

Honey, what's that For Sale sign doing in our front yard?

or

Honey, the Sheriff's here and he says he has to escort us off the property!

Two things to remember:

1. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sign over your Deed of Trust.
2. If it sounds to good to be true...

So you already know that one - right?

And just because I would love to their Mother's to see what they've been so busy doing, here's the sweet 16 indictment roll call:

• Charles Head, 33, of La Habra
• Jeremy Michael Head, 30, of Huntington Beach
• Elham Assadi, (aka Elham Assadi Jouzani, aka Ely Assadi), 30, of Irvine, California
• Leonard Bernot, 51, of Laguna Hills, California
• Akemi Bottari, 28, of Los Angeles
• Joshua Coffman, 29, of North Hollywood
• John Corcoran(aka Jack Corcoran), 52, of Anaheim
• Sarah Mattson, 27, of Phoenix, Arizona
• Domonic McCarns, 33, of Brea, California
• Anh Nguyen, 36, of Los Angeles
• Omar Sandoval, 32, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
• Xochitl Sandoval, 29, of Rancho Cucamonga
• Eduardo Vanegas, 28, of Phoenix
• Andrew Vu, 39, of Santa Ana
• Justin Wiley, 28, of Irvine
• Kou Yang, 32, of Corona, California

Don't Worry

My good friend and highly ethical mortgage professional, Tony Gallegos shared a video he found on YouTube.

As he writes on his blog The Mortgage Cicerone,

 "Bottom line - It's BOZO's like Richard and friends that hurt our industry. Can you imagine being so proud of these sales tactics that you actually post it on YouTube?"

Personally, I liked the voice in the background, "Hi, I'm calling you on behalf of your current lenders wholesale department..."

We, the true mortgage professionals, know these people exist.  We fight their mis-information and unethical practices each and every day.  Does the poor homeowner know who they are talking to?  Not a chance. 

These people exist and they are numerous.  I had an office right next door to me, now thankfully out of business.  But there's still plenty of scum out there.  I had a client just yesterday come to me who had been dealing with these guys.

Remember, this is only a small snippet of what they do.  Don't work with telemarketers.  Don't work with people you don't know.  Don't work with someone hundreds of miles away.  Only work with a True Mortgage Professional!  If you don't know one - ask me! 

I referred a Wells Fargo Mortgage Loan Officer to two highly ethical people I trust in Florida this week.  Imagine that, a loan officer calling me, to do a refinance on her home, because she didn't want to work with anyone in her company or with someone like Robert.  Smart move if you ask me.

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St. Joseph find me a buyer - fast!

I had previously written a story about how interesting it was that I found companies marketing St. Joseph statues to home sellers. 

Well, I guess that idea caught on with Agents. 

The California Association of Realtors - which licenses your local Real Estate Professional, has a page on their site selling products designed to help them (the Agents)  in their business.  The page is public and sells items like

• Marketing Plans,
• Presentation Plans,
• Door Hangers,
• Open House Signs

The idea is that the Association is there to foster and promote their business.  They even have a radio commercial going right now.  Have you heard it?

I track all sorts of things.  One of the interesting things (to me) is where new visitors come from, if they used a search engine, and if so, what words they put into that search engine to find me.

 Yesterday, I saw that someone had found the site and spent a great deal of time reading my posts - all because they used MSN and were looking for "st joeseph statue for selling homes".  Misspelled and all.  No really!  Here, try this: LINK.  I should be #1.

BTW: The two biggest hits I get are for Lending Tree Fraud, and most anything that has Mortgage Accelerator Complaints attached to it.  I guess they are pretty popular.

I scrolled down and found the page for C.A.R. and saw that they were selling statues in bulk!

I can't say I like this.  Why?

The Association exists for the betterment of it's members.  It subscribes to higher standards and pushes for those standards in many ways.  Not to offend anyone, but politics and religion aside, should this Professional Association be supporting something controversial like this?  What does this say about C.A.R.?

What's next? 

Find the Loan Program of your dreams

- Just add this Adorable Urinal Mint!

 

(sold in cases of 144 only) 

I know - That's Gross!

Point made.

 

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No, Seriously...

I was working late the other night, it was after 8:00 PM.
The phone rang.

It was a Local Real Estate Investor. I know that because that's what he told me. He found me on ActiveRain.

He was calling because he had an exciting offer for someone just like me.

He was soon to be auctioning off a home in nearby Discovery Bay.

I replied that was indeed, very exciting. (He didn't hear the sarcasm in my voice)

He was looking for a "Marketing Partner".

okay...

Local Real Estate Investor: "We're prepared to offer you exclusive rights to pre-qualify each and every bidder!"

okay...

Local Real Estate Investor: "We're looking for a mortgage company, like yours, who can capitalize on the enormous potential of this offer"

okay...

Mike: "Let's get down to nuts and bolts. Who is WE? and what's this going to cost me?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "I work with Professional Real Estate Investor Partner. We're looking for 2%"

long period of uncomfortable silence...

Mike: "Uh, 2% of what?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "2% of the sales price."

Mike: "What's the property going to sell for?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "I don't know it's an auction."

Mike: "Yeah, right. What's the property valued at?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "We estimate around $540,000"

Mike: "So you want $11,000 from me? And for that I get to prequalify ALL your bidders?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "Oh, sorry, I mis-spoke, we want 2% of the starting bid."

Mike: "OK, and what is the starting bid then?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "My partner and I haven't yet determined that exact figure just yet."

another long period of uncomfortable silence...

Local Real Estate Investor: "We're looking for around 8 to 9,000 - ballpark."

Mike: "For the starting bid?" (ok, so I was messing with him a bit)

Local Real Estate Investor: "Oh no, sorry for the amount we'll need from you."

Mike: "So you want $8,000 to 9,000 from me? And for that I get to prequalify ALL your bidders?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "See, I told you it was exciting!"

Mike: "Exciting Indeed! Before I commit, I'll just have to run this by my Professional Mortgage Financing Partner."

Local Real Estate Investor: "That's great. I'll call you tomorrow."

Now that we were buddies, partners, and teammates...

Mike: "Hey, this house isn't in foreclosure is it?"

Local Real Estate Investor: "No, but the lady was worried about not making her payments and she answered one of my ads. She signed the DEED over last week. She just rolled over for me."

Mike: "Wow that's great! I'll talk to you tomorrow."

You know exactly what this is all about. So did I.
Somewhere in Discovery Bay, a poor little old lady has lost any hope of saving or having any equity.
She signed her home away, it's gone.

She has a mortgage though.
Does she know the house is going to be sold?
Does she know she'll have to move?
When the house sells, will the mortgage actually be paid off?

This stuff just makes me sick!

While I am not a violent person, I'd love to send Guido to pay my new friend a visit.

Check out "The Foreclosure Report"

For additional reading:

• http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2007/05/17/features/personal_finance/340382223453162.txt
• http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=125076&ran=94047
• http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/articles/2007/06/02/state_cracks_down_on_bailout_scams/
• http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070519/REPOSITORY/705190311/1028/OPINION02
• http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6514629

Real Estate Investor?

This is Part One in a Three Part series

The System

Have you ever seen one of those signs and wondered?

"We Pay CASH for Homes!"

or the latest incarnation...


"Real Estate Investor Apprentice Wanted"

Wonder how all these people could pay cash for all those homes?

Wonder why the same looking signs have popped up everywhere?

Wonder why if they have so much money, they can't afford better signs or advertising?

Wonder why if they are seeking an Apprentice - why are they driving a beat up Pinto?

I have too.

So a little over a year ago I paid good money to go to this big Real Estate shin dig in Moscone Center. It was put together by the Learning Annex. It had keynote speakers like Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, and even The Donald.
I certainly wanted to "Learn" and why not learn from guys like that?

For three days, for twelve hours a day, I attended "class" after "class". If I remember right there were over 80 different "classes" offered. Not by the Keynote guys above, but by True Professional Real Estate Investors. These people were some of the most successful people on the planet. They had spent the early years of their life learning how to strike it rich with real estate and now wanted to give something back.

I know they were truly successful because of the expensive silk suits they wore. And then I couldn't help but notice their flashy watches. Oh and the way they talked about their last vacation. And then to verify what I already knew, they also told me they were (extremely wealthy). Each and every one of them did.

Amazingly, they were all willing to share vital information, the very same information it took them years of hard work to learn, with anyone!
Almost.

Just as long as you were one of the first 500 people to make their way to the back table and give their wonderful helpers a credit card.

Don't think of the $1,800 charge as a high price to pay for 12 CDs and a booklet. It's an investment in your future!

Time and time again, in each and every "class", with the very same speech pattern, the rush to the back was on. People of all walks of life were suddenly running for their financial lives.
Not for the door (as I might have hoped) but for the back table!
These good people would literally inundate the 20 or so wonderful helpers.


"NO... Take my Platinum Card first, I was here first!"

At times it reminded me of glorious holiday times past.
Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo, and Beanie Babies have nothing on this spectacle.





Continued soon...

As Seen on Craigslist

I admit it.
I scan the local Craigslist listings looking for qualified loan officers.

I'll also admit I have hired only one LO from Craigslist in over a year of doing this.

That's a pretty low ROI wouldn't you say?

We all know the business was flooded by inexperienced "pseudo professionals" in the past couple of years.

Here's an example from today that may show you why...


I changed actual names but left the juicy details as they were written.
If you would like to hire any of these people, send me an email - I'll send you a link!

This is from "Sean".
Judging by the title, he's covering his bases...

"Loan Agent/ Warehouseman/ Landscaper"
They go together right?

Sean goes on to describe his skills:

• Fork Lift operation * Alpha / Numeric filing
• Order picker * Duplicated documents
• Pallet Jack * Microsoft Word 2005
• Heavy Lifting * Loading Trucks
• Home Delivery * Multi phone Systems

This is how the actual post lists his skills.
I require all my Loan Officer's to be Forklift Certified, don't you?
Those loan files can get pretty heavy.

Sean presently works at "ABC Finical", (actual name changed to protect the innocent)

I guess they might be saving money by not using all those extra letters.
He's also presently working as a landscape laborer. Working two jobs? Great for you Sean!
(and I mean that)

As a professional, I don't really want people like Sean out there doing loans.
In the same way I don't want my Eye Surgeon working part time at Starbucks.

But some Broker out there, eager for loan production is going to hire Sean.
Sean is going to soon have business cards that look much like mine.
Sean is going to start making phone calls and interrupting family dinner times.
Sean is going to send out junk mail by the thousands.

But how does the public know to recognize the difference between a professional and a Sean?
Good luck Sean!

And good luck to the people who decide to use Sean as their loan officer.
They are going to need it!

Be Careful Out There...

I just read a story in my local paper.

The local police here are warning Realtors about a registered sex offender. They say he hasn't yet done anything wrong but they are concerned. Why?

Because this Bad Guy has been posing as a home buyer and visiting real estate offices and open houses.

But Hey you say, "This is America and all people are free to pursue the American Dream - right?"
That's not so bad right?

Well, let's see...

• He's also been found poking around the back of a real estate office unescorted. He probably came in through a Employee Only door.
• He's asked Realtors to recite scriptures to him.
• He's told Realtors that "God has chosen you to be my Realtor."
• He's asked Realtors to see their personal homes.
• He told an agent that she was beautiful and that beauty is a sin.

How about peeking into a home windows?
Ok, I'll admit I've done that too.
For me it was a vacant house that I was considering, my agent was busy and I thought I'd just peek in the front window.
But I didn't do my peeking at 10 PM at night!

Remember, this guy is a Registered Sex Offender.
Agents are salespeople, they want and need to sell houses.
They are not supposed to be targets.

If you are an agent - not just here but anywhere, take a step back before you run to show a client you don't know an house.
If you are a possible home buyer and an agent you just met doesn't seem too eager to want to put you in her car and drive to deserted house, take a step back as well.


Be Careful Out There!

I've been Phished!

Not Fished, but Phished.

I warned about this a while ago when a friend of mine was caught by a Phishing scam as he was selling something on eBay. http://activerain.com/blogsview/48462/Ebay-Scam-Beware-Phishing

I warned that if they are scamming the sellers - just wait, they'll be scamming the buyers next.

And what do you know, this just popped up in my email! (click on the image to make it bigger)

You may notice that it looks just like an eBay email might.
The first thing I noticed was the TO: address (undisclosed-recipients)
It also has eBay listed in many of the links (bottom of my screen) but those are all redirects.
They put the name in there to fool you.
DO NOT CLICK ON ANY HYPER LINKS

(click on the image to make it bigger)

I haven't bought or bid on anything in eBay in months.

I don't know who CoconutCabana007 is and quite frankly I don't want to know.
So what did I do?
I went directly to eBay (as in typed it into my browser letter by letter)
Remember: DO NOT CLICK ON ANY HYPER LINKS

My eBay account shows I don't have an issue.

Phishing is a scam.

The first rule of Phishing is that they want to appear familiar to you.

No Matter how familiar an email looks to you DO NOT CLICK ON ANY HYPER LINKS

Phishing is the bad guys way of getting you to provide your private information.Beware of anything coming from your bank, any bank, PayPal, eBay, or even Active Rain that is unsolicited.

Once I knew it was a Phishing Incident (spoof) - I forwarded it to eBay.
They don't like this stuff. It gives them a bad name. They'll go after them. Here's their email address to report any sneaky stuff you come across.
spoof@ebay.com

So now I have to ask the question...

After all you just learned, did you click on that image to make it bigger?

Be careful out there!