Recent Events Highlight Potential Need to Background Check Realtors; states TenantScreeningUSA.com
Waltham, MA (PRWEB) August 31, 2015 -- Fraud can come in many different forms. Some cases of fraud come from overt sources such as email scams, but fraud can come from individuals that may be implicitly trusted, such as a Realtor.
Several cases of fraud by Realtors have come to light recently.
In Madison County, a couple filed suit against a Real Estate Brokerage.
From MadisonRecord.com (Jul. 07, 15):
A Madison County couple has filed a lawsuit against a firm regarding a flawed 2009 property transaction, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
… found in breach of duty by drafting a vague document, failing to consult with an attorney, and instruct and properly inform the plaintiffs of their rights and responsibilities. (Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-766) (1) (2)
Further incidence of fraud perpetrated by Realtors occurred in Las Vegas.
From WashingtonTimes.com (Aug. 04, 2015):
A federal court jury in Las Vegas found a former Real Estate agent from Arizona guilty of conspiracy and fraud in a mortgage lending scheme that prosecutors said bilked lenders out of more than $24 million before the housing market collapsed in late 2007. (US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit; US District Court for the District of Nevada; Case No. 12-10345) (3)
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “Where there is a money transaction and the sharing of vital personal data such as social security numbers, individuals must protect themselves as best they can from potential fraud.”
Across the United States citizens are protected to a degree by the licensing required of Realtors. But there are certain weaknesses in the licensing procedure that may allow a bad Realtor to get a license.
From theNest.com (No Date Provided):
All states and the District of Columbia require Real Estate agents to be licensed, but only half of all states conduct background checks, according to the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. States that do conduct checks may not delve that deeply into an agent's background. (4)
Conducting a Realtor background check need not be a difficult task.
Almeida states: “Conducting a record search is a relative simple task for a third-party background screening company. A Broker or Realtor license could be confirmed and any white collar crime convictions could be checked.”
Professional criminal background checks can be conducted by a well-informed and qualified third-party background screening company. It could prove to be a valuable tool for potential buyers in selecting a Real Estate agent.
Almeida states: “In the end, it is critical to background check anyone with access to vital personal data in order to avoid fraud. Realtors may be overlooked as they are often implicitly trusted. As the real estate market begins to recover more individuals may take advantage of this trust.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party tenant screening company whose sister company, CriminalBackgroundRecords.com can provide vital information based on public records. With the ability to access professional records databases as well as utilize researchers at the county courthouse level, CriminalBackgroundRecords.com can provide the information potential buyers need to have when it comes to selecting a Realtor.
Notes:
(1) madisonrecord.com/stories/510625544-home-buyers-allege-consumer-fraud-in-suit-against-realtor
(2) washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/4/arizona-man-found-guilty-in-las-vegas-mortgage-fra/
(3) courtlistener.com/pdf/2015/03/05/united_states_v._brett_depue.pdf
(4) budgeting.thenest.com/check-background-real-estate-agent-33300.html
Dan Adams, Criminal Background Records, http://www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com, +1 (877) 811-6557, [email protected]
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