• Dress professionally
• Don’t wear expensive or excessive jewelry
• Always wear your cell phone
• Dress for the weather
• Only carry the cash or credit cards you need
• Carry yourself with confidence
(For more information see the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) http://bit.ly/1vHawN7
Have a buddy – know in advance who you are going to call when
• Your instincts tell you to get help
• You are just a little nervous
• You need help at an open house
(For more information see the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) http://bit.ly/1vHawN7
Don’t make personal marketing too personal. Your marketing practices can jeopardize your safety by giving out too much of the wrong information. Concentrate on your professional proficiency rather than personal information in newspapers, resumes, or business cards and Websites.
(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.)http://bit.ly/1vHawN7
Have a distress code and a prearranged distress signal to ensure your safety. The distress code should be used if you are uneasy, but do not feel you are in danger. If you are in immediate danger – stop the car and/or leave the area. Do not hesitate to call 911. Share and practice your distress code with: Your office, colleagues, family and friends.
(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide
A new phishing scam is targeting real estate broker email accounts to victimize buyers. Here’s how it works:
• The broker’s email account is hacked.
• The scammer monitors the email account for discussions about upcoming closings.
• The scammer sends fraudulent wire-transfer information from the broker’s email account to the buyer.
• Those instructions direct the transfer to an entity owned by the scammer, which may appear to be a closing or title agency office.
More information here – http://wapo.st/1xMPlsA
(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide
Effective January 1, 2015, sellers must provide a new Oil and Gas Mandatory Disclosure Statement (MOGDS) to buyers prior to making an offer. The new Disclosure Statement is being developed by the Real Estate Commission and will be made available on the Commission’s Website, www.ncrec.gov, in December to allow sellers sufficient time to complete the Disclosure for any properties on the market as of January 1.
“In Case of Emergency” (ICE), program your emergency numbers into speed dial. These numbers should include 911, emergency road service, your office, your family numbers, and anyone else who may be available to answer your call for help.
Keep your cell phone fully charged and have a battery reserve.
(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide
SAFETY TIP #2 – Tell Someone
• Who you are with
• Where you are going
• When you will be back
(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.)http://bit.ly/1vHawN7
SAFETY TIP #1 – Know who you are dealing with when you have new clients or customers:
• Meet them at your office
• Complete the Client/Customer Identification Form
• Photocopy their driver’s license
• Get their car description and license number
• Verify their identity
(Taken from the Commission’s North Carolina Real Estate Agent Safety Guide available in printed copy from the Commission or on its Website.) Safety Guide