ERA Franchise Systems LLC knows you work hard for your money. That is why we want to provide you with some tips that may help you avoid being scammed.

Recently, we have been made aware of an Advance Fee Scam involving the unauthorized use of the brand name, website and email address of another real estate brokerage company.

The scammer lures the victim (e.g., a prospective tenant) by posting an offer of a high-standard apartment for low cost, even showing pictures of the apartment. The scammer uses online classified ad services such as Craigslist.org to post such offers. The victim is told that the renter is "travelling", "vacationing abroad" or "relocating". The victim is required to pay a deposit via Western Union in exchange for the "keys" to the property. In an effort to instill confidence in this transaction, the scammer fraudulently claims to have listed the apartment with a local real estate brokerage office and arranges for a fraudulent email notification posing as a real estate brokerage representative (and using logos belonging to that real estate brokerage company) to be sent to the victim. The scammer disappears once the deposit is received, leaving the prospective tenant defrauded.

Here are some tips to help you avoid such scams:

• KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE SENDING MONEY TO – If you receive an email from a real estate agent with payment instructions, call the requesting office for confirmation.
• CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions or provide escrow services.
• USE CAUTION WHEN GIVING OUT FINANCIAL AND OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION VIA EMAIL (bank account number, credit card number, Social Security number, etc.)
• AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.
• These types of scams often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before withdrawing your money – this is FALSE, once you've wired money, it is GONE.
• PROPERTY/APARTMENT LISTING MAY BE LOCAL, but landlord/owner is "travelling" or "relocating" and needs you to wire money to them abroad.

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
• Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee".
• inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating transaction.

Who should you notify about fraud or scam attempts?

• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
• Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov/)
• Non-emergency number for your local police department.
• The government agency in your country responsible for dealing with fraud.