Text Message Scam: Fee to Receive Leads

MetroTex has released a warning about a text message scam that asks Realtors to pay a fee to receive a lead from Redfin (similar real estate related messages have been reported from other vendors as well).MetroTex is advising members to take the following precautions:

Report the incident to the FBI IC3 website.

Do not click on any links in the text or otherwise engage with the sender. If you have clicked on a link in a suspicious text, promptly follow up with an IT specialist to ensure that the device is free from malware.

Erase the text from your device. You can take a screen shot of the scam text prior to erasing it to use it in your report to the FBI.

If you want to follow up with the FBI after filing the IC3 report, you can call your local FBI field office.

If you suspect that any phone numbers or contact information were obtained due to a breach of your IT system, alert your IT department or engage an IT specialist to scan your systems and devices to make sure that you are free from malware.

Visit NAR’s Data Privacy and Security page for more information about how to protect your business from cybercrime.