\n\u201cWhen it happens, we get 200 to 300 voice mails from agents who have been targeted,\u201d says Noel Smith, a Movoto customer care representative. \u201cThey work their way from the East Coast to the West Coast.\u201d
\nAnd the fraudsters are convincing.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/06\/movoto-lead-scam.jpg\")
\n\u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of scams, but this is in the top 5 percent of scammers in terms of how legit it looks,\u201d says Adam Garett, a Realtor of Greg Garrett Realty in Newport News, Virginia. Garrett received a text message, which read:
\n\u201cDear Realtor, you\u2019ve received a PreQualified real estate lead from MOVOTO\u201d accompanied by a link.
\nThe link took him to mock-up lead page which includes Movoto\u2019s logo, an actual listing, an actual agent\u2019s name, and some blocked out contact information. Accompanying text said this was a pre-qualified lead \u201cas a trial from Movoto\u201d which can be purchased for $10.
\nThese scams have affected other brokerages and listing websites like Redfin and realtor.com, which were targeted earlier this year.
\nAgents who are hooked into the scam\u2014which is understandable, since, as Garett notes, agents have to quickly respond to leads\u2014pay and are given a phone number to someone who gives them the runaround.
\n\u201cThey must have a call center working for them,\u201d says Noel. \u201cThey say the person is on vacation, or there\u2019s a cash buyer. Then they say they\u2019ll call back in a few days.\u201d
\nThey don\u2019t, of course. But there\u2019s some good news: there hasn\u2019t been any evidence yet that the scammers are attempting identity theft.
\n\u201cTo our knowledge, it seems like they\u2019re only after that $10 and hitting as many agents as possible with the scam,\u201d says Noel.
\nBut it\u2019s possible to get that $10 back.
\n\u201cPayPal usually refunds the money. Even with credit and banking institutions, those charges can be disputed as well,\u201d says Noel. So if it happens, call whatever bank, credit card or online payment system you used to pay for the fake lead.
\nAnd remember, Movoto Real Estate does not request payments upfront for leads. Movoto Real Estate is pay upon close, when the client is ready, able and willing to make the transaction happen. Furthermore, Movoto does not send out referrals directly. If you receive any texts or emails requesting money for a lead upfront, it\u2019s not Movoto Real Estate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"