Fraud Alerts & Wire Fraud Prevention
ARF Realty takes your security seriously. Please read these important warnings to protect yourself from real estate fraud.
Consumer Fraud Alerts
ARF Realty has been made aware of fraudulent schemes targeting consumers through fake real estate listings, rental scams, and impersonation of real estate professionals. Please read the following warnings carefully.
General Fraud Prevention
ARF REALTY AGENTS WILL NEVER REQUEST PAYMENTS VIA VENMO, CASH APP, PAYPAL, ZELLE, GIFT CARDS, CRYPTOCURRENCY, OR SIMILAR METHODS.
If someone claims to be an ARF Realty agent and asks for payment through any of these methods, it is a scam. Do not send money and report the incident to us immediately at fraud@arfrealty.com.
Social Media & Messaging Impersonation
Fraudsters may create fake profiles on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram, pretending to be ARF Realty agents or representatives. Always verify agent identity and contact information by visiting arfrealty.com and searching for the agent's official profile. ARF Realty does not conduct business through unofficial channels.
Email & Wire Fraud
WIRE FRAUD IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND DEVASTATING SCAMS IN REAL ESTATE. CYBERCRIMINALS TARGET TRANSACTIONS THROUGH SOPHISTICATED EMAIL SCHEMES DESIGNED TO STEAL FUNDS.
ALWAYS verify wire instructions directly with your attorney or escrow/title company using a known, trusted phone number — never rely solely on emailed instructions.
Be cautious of last-minute changes to wire instructions. Fraudsters often impersonate agents, attorneys, or title companies to divert funds.
Look for red flags in emails: unexpected urgency, slight misspellings in email addresses, or uncharacteristic language from the sender.
NEVER send sensitive financial information (bank account numbers, routing numbers, Social Security numbers) via email. Use secure portals or encrypted messaging.
After sending a wire, call the recipient at a verified phone number to confirm receipt.
Rental Scams
Be wary of rental listings that seem too good to be true. Common warning signs include: below-market pricing, requests for deposits before viewing the property, refusal to meet in person, and pressure to act immediately. All legitimate ARF Realty rentals are listed on our official website at arfrealty.com.
What To Do If You Suspect Fraud
• Do not respond to suspicious communications.
• Contact ARF Realty directly at [Insert Phone Number] or fraud@arfrealty.com.
• Contact your bank immediately if you have already sent funds.
• Report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint.
Stay Vigilant
Legitimate real estate transactions should always be conducted through secure, verifiable methods. When in doubt, call our office directly to verify any communication you have received. Your security is our priority.