Be Wary of Internet Hoaxes and Scams!

Internet Scams and Hoaxes are Rampant today. There are viruses which come in the form of an e-mail from someone you "may" know, hoaxes which could be chain letters, false virus alerts, and scams asking you to visit a site and confirm your account information in order to receive money.

A common type of scam is a fake e-mail from a bank, or other reputable source asking you to visit a website and enter personal information. Scammers take a lot of time to make these e-mails look professional, and then will use your personal information for identity theft. They can copy company logos to make it look more legitimate. Your bank would never call you looking for your personal information, so whether this happens on the phone or over the internet, hang up or delete the email. If you feel it could be legitimate, you can always call the institution and ask if the e-mail or call is actually from them. Err on the side of caution. You should never be giving out your account number or credit card information on an unsolicited call or e-mail.

Strangers are very unlikely to be handing out free money. That is another scam. This will lead you to a website to collect your private information. Delete these e-mails right away.

A fairly new scam is circulating for real estate. A rental property will be listed on a site like Craigslist, with pictures and descriptions. The scammers will ask for a rental deposit site unseen, and will then send the keys along. These usually seem like great deals, but you are unable to tour the property first and are asked to send money to a site before you receive the keys. Beware of this! Drive by the property first and see if you can get in touch with the real estate company representing the property. These are usually houses for sale, and the scammer uses the pictures on the internet to list it as a rental. The agent and the seller has no idea this is listed for rent. You are literally throwing your money away. A legitimate renter will always let you look at the property first and there will be a lease to sign before any money is exchanged.

Be wary on the internet. If something seems to be too good to be true it probably is.

Please visit us at www.agentrising.com for more information.