Among Friends

[jackthebear]

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@ccassaday wrote:

Have any of you had this happen. My dads father passed away over Christmas.  His will and estate I guess is in probate.  He is waiting on the courts so he can sell his house.  Well today my mom and I get a text. It is from a guy that says he is a real estate investor and was going through probate records and wanted to know if their would be a estate sale or the house was up for sale. My mom text my dad to see if he got the message and he hadn't. So he told my mom to reply and give this person my dads name and cell phone so he could talk to him and see if it is legit. My grandfathers house is a run down slum so whoever buys it will end up being a investor and want to rent it out. Anyway the person texts back still insisting on the address of the property and never contacted my dad. My dad thinks they are trying to rob houses that are unoccupied or possibly have valuables for a estate sale in them. So have any of you gotten a scam like this. Be careful. We are just going to ignore anymore texts. If it was legit this person would of called.

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how would they get your cell phone number?

Let all this get handled by an attorney and real estate person 

[jackthebear]

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@ccassaday wrote:

Have any of you had this happen. My dads father passed away over Christmas.  His will and estate I guess is in probate.  He is waiting on the courts so he can sell his house.  Well today my mom and I get a text. It is from a guy that says he is a real estate investor and was going through probate records and wanted to know if their would be a estate sale or the house was up for sale. My mom text my dad to see if he got the message and he hadn't. So he told my mom to reply and give this person my dads name and cell phone so he could talk to him and see if it is legit. My grandfathers house is a run down slum so whoever buys it will end up being a investor and want to rent it out. Anyway the person texts back still insisting on the address of the property and never contacted my dad. My dad thinks they are trying to rob houses that are unoccupied or possibly have valuables for a estate sale in them. So have any of you gotten a scam like this. Be careful. We are just going to ignore anymore texts. If it was legit this person would of called.

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how would they get your cell phone number?

please block this person's number 

Let all this get handled by an attorney and real estate person 

[ccassaday]

That is what is scary. How did this person get our cell numbers. No need to worry we would never give out any personal info.  

[Nuttmeg]

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@ccassaday wrote:

That is what is scary. How did this person get our cell numbers. No need to worry we would never give out any personal info.  

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People can get personal information for a price. Many things are public record.

[chickenbutt]

I wonder why on earth he told her to 1) reply; and 2) give the guy more personal information.  

[happycat]

There are scammers everywhere. I have heard of people looking to see when a funeral will be and going to rob the house, as they knew everyone would be gone. I wouldn't contact that man anymore, no matter what he says on the cell.

Oh, and if you pay on the Been Verified site, like 20 bucks I think,you can get peoples cell numbers. Thats for the ppl asking how they got the her moms cell number.

A scammer could get lots of cell and land line numbers like that.

[SaRina]

My general rule of thumb is.... never give out any personal information to, or do business with, anyone who contacts you first.

[Imadickens]

I know in my area people troll this way for real estate listings (unscrupulous agents read obits), antique dealers want to get in first, and yes, criminals. I would notify PD house is empty and tell them about email you got. In our town PD does property checks on empty premises each day. Plus, it lets patrols know to look for any unusual activity, like a "workman" w/ a van parked in driveway!        ( crooks use vans marked as a legit business to empty houses in broad daylight!) Always beware of any unsolicited email!

[Imadickens]

I know in my area people troll this way for real estate listings (unscrupulous agents read obits), antique dealers want to get in first, and yes, criminals. I would notify PD house is empty and tell them about email you got. In our town PD does property checks on empty premises each day. Plus, it lets patrols know to look for any unusual activity, like a "workman" w/ a van parked in driveway!        ( crooks use vans marked as a legit business to empty houses in broad daylight!) Always beware of any unsolicited email! (Or any type contact!)

[kivah]

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@ccassaday wrote:

Have any of you had this happen. My dads father passed away over Christmas.  His will and estate I guess is in probate.  He is waiting on the courts so he can sell his house.  Well today my mom and I get a text. It is from a guy that says he is a real estate investor and was going through probate records and wanted to know if their would be a estate sale or the house was up for sale. My mom text my dad to see if he got the message and he hadn't. So he told my mom to reply and give this person my dads name and cell phone so he could talk to him and see if it is legit. My grandfathers house is a run down slum so whoever buys it will end up being a investor and want to rent it out. Anyway the person texts back still insisting on the address of the property and never contacted my dad. My dad thinks they are trying to rob houses that are unoccupied or possibly have valuables for a estate sale in them. So have any of you gotten a scam like this. Be careful. We are just going to ignore anymore texts. If it was legit this person would of called.

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@ccassaday

It's actually an "old" SCAM. NEVER reply to anyone contacting u - the vulchers are always out. When u need to find a lawyer, realtor, etc. --- get referrals from family/friends/neighbors. Do not deal with anyone calling/emailing/texting u -- or ur family.