From time to time, scams gain traction in our market area and across the industry. Here are some PrimeMLS has been made aware of. To avoid these and other scams, trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.


Craigslist Scam

There have been instances in which member listings have been scraped from a legitimate online display, then advertised on Craigslist with third party contact information in the interest of fraudulently soliciting deposit money or other fees from unsuspecting consumers. In at least one instance, the listing broker has discovered the scam when a consumer has driven past the advertised property after seeing the bogus Craigslist posting, then contacted the legitimate listing agent per the sign on the property. 


Guidance on how to handle a scam on Craigslist is available here.

Scammers Posing as Property Owners

For this scam, it often begins with an agent receiving a call from a person who wants to sell a property. This person is ready to list the property with you, even though you've never met. The catch is the "seller" cannot meet you in person because they claim to live out of state or in another country, or they're traveling. If you have entered a listing and now believe that a scam is occurring, notify PrimeMLS by emailing rules@primemls.com with the MLS number.


Here are some ways to protect yourself and consumers from scammers posing as property owners:

  • Check the municipal assessment records online to find the name and address of the owner of record for the property. CRS is also a resource for this information.

  • If the property is owned by an LLC or corporation, check the Secretary of State corporate records online to find the name and address of the manager, registered agent, and/or officers.

  • Ask for a government ID that matches the address on record, if permissible in the state.

  • Schedule a time to speak through FaceTime or other form of video conferencing, such as Zoom.

  • Ask to see a copy of a tax bill for the property or another document with the property address that only the property owner would have.

  • Ask the person questions about the property that are not mentioned publicly.

  • Ask the person to respond by email. It may be possible for law enforcement to find the person's location.

  • Conduct a reverse directory search of their phone number.

  • Use a trusted closing attorney. 

  • If the person sends closing documents by delivery service, handle it carefully. According to law enforcement, the package can be dusted for fingerprints.

  • When you send mailings to a neighborhood or former clients/customers, consider suggesting they create a Google alert with the address of their property. If it is marketed or mentioned publicly, the owner will receive an alert. You can also do this with your own listings to help avoid other types of scams.


If you have entered a listing and now believe that a scam is occurring, notify PrimeMLS by emailing rules@primemls.com with the MLS number. You may also report it to: