The public is being warned about an email scam from someone posing as a real estate agent.
A Puna man received an email claiming that his home would be seized by police because of suspected illegal activities. It states that the recipient has 30 days to vacate the premises or he will face fines or jail time. It instructs the recipient to contact the sender to make arrangements for moving out of the home. An attachment—which the letter claims has a “legal statement” and contact information for the real estate company—actually contains a computer virus.
The Police Department does not seize residential property without a court order, and citizens are not subject to criminal fines or jail sentences without going through the judicial process.
Hawaiʻi Island Police alert the public not to open email attachments from senders they do not know, as they often contain viruses that can infect computers and might ask for personal information that could allow the sender to steal the recipient’s identity. Police recommend deleting unsolicited emails with attachments.
Disturbing. I feel for those who were victimized. It might not be a very original modus operandi, but instant reaction is to be horrified, which will more than likely prompt them to rash actions like opening said attachment immediately. What equally worries me is that, as a realtor for homes for sale kiawah island sc, email is one of my foremost means of communication to clients, especially those who have been referred to me. I send them emails with attached promotional materials or brochures, so they have an idea of what I can offer before we talk and set appointments. If they have a fear with regards to the emails they receive, how will they react to an email from someone they barely know? Trust is a fragile thing to hold after all, and with this kind of scams instilling fear on people, the tendency is to doubt the intentions of others as well.