We want every REALTOR® to come home safely to his or her family every night. Let’s accomplish that goal together with our members by improving the safety culture in the industry by:
If you experience a safety/scam incident, please report it to the:
In addition, please share your experience with CAAR (communications@caar.com) and post it on the CAAR Facebook group (members-only).
Safety needs to be at the forefront of every REALTOR®’s mind. Browse the many resources NAR has available on their website:
Forewarn Benefit – FOREWARN brings knowledge to the real estate industry through innovative solutions to ensure safer engagements and smarter interactions. Leveraging powerful analytics and a massive data repository, FOREWARN solutions enable real estate professionals to gain real-time knowledge, for purposes such as verifying identity, searching for criminal histories, and validating information provided by potential clients such as financial and asset information – all from just a phone number or name. Risk assessment and due diligence at your fingertips™.
Learn more and set up your complimentary Forewarn account today!
CAAR has recently received multiple reports from members through email and the members-only CAAR Facebook Group regarding these scams occurring in our area.
As always, please exercise due diligence when handling property transactions. Be sure to cross-check information with public records to verify you are communicating with the rightful property owner before proceeding with an MLS listing or any transaction.
Thank you for staying vigilant and helping maintain the integrity and safety of our community. To submit a report of a scam, please email communications@caar.com.
November 2026 | Alert: Suspicious Text Messages
Multiple female agents have received suspicious text messages from the same individual, Derek Toney (434-218-3975). The messages begin with a personal greeting, followed by an apology for allegedly contacting the wrong number. After learning the recipient is a real estate professional, the individual claims to need assistance selling and purchasing property. Although the individual’s intentions have not been confirmed, the repeated pattern raises safety concerns.
November 2026 | | Alert: Fake Leads from Compass.com
Members have reported receiving fake or potentially fraudulent leads appearing to originate from Compass.com. These messages include a link that members are strongly advised not to click or open. We encourage all members to remain vigilant, verify the legitimacy of online inquiries, and avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal information.
October 2026 | Alert: Fraudulent Vacant Land Seller Inquiry
A suspicious email circulating regarding the sale of vacant land in Albemarle County (Parcel ID: 055000000029C4). The sender claims to be James Gibson, co-owner with his wife, Marzene Gibson, and expresses an urgent need to sell the property to cover medical expenses. The email requests a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Warning signs include unusual grammar, inconsistent spacing, a sense of urgency, and an incorrect last name in the email signature. Albemarle County real estate records list the property owner as James Gibson, while the sender signs the email as James Gibso.
June 2026 | Alert: Fraudulent Listing Scam
A fraudulent real estate lead circulating through Zillow and other platforms involving a vacant land listing in Stanardsville (Bear Run Rd.). The listing identifies “Vincent Cirelli” as the property owner; however, while this is a real individual who owns land on that road, he is not selling the property. The contact phone number and email provided in the listing are not associated with the actual owner.
June 2026 |Alert: Fraudulent Listing Scam
A REALTOR® was contacted by an individual with a Gmail address posing as the owner (Jane D.M. Reeves) of a vacant parcel in Buckingham, requesting assistance in listing the property. The individual provided deed book information and property details that appeared legitimate. However, upon further verification, several red flags emerged, including:
The REALTOR® was able to independently contact the actual property owner, who confirmed that they are not selling the property and had no intention of listing it.
June 2026 | Alert: DPOR Email Scam Warning
The Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR) has issued a warning that scam emails are circulating and falsely appear to originate from the agency. These messages may request personal information or prompt you to click on suspicious links. Please do not respond, forward these emails, click any links, or share personal information. Always verify the sender’s email address before taking any action.
May 2026 | Alert: Fake Leads from Compass.com
Members have reported that Compass.com is generating a significant number of fake or potentially scam leads. We encourage all members to remain cautious, verify information carefully, and use best practices when responding to online inquiries.
April 2026 | Alert: Property Impersonation Scam
Involving a local property on Pea Ridge Rd. An individual contacted an agent claiming to be the property owner and attempting to initiate a quick sale. Further verification through Forewarn confirmed the outreach was fraudulent and that the legitimate property owner was not involved. This property has reportedly been targeted multiple times using a similar scheme.
February 2026 | Alert: Point of Concern – “Jade” Claiming to Be with Asset Hunters
Members have reported an individual identifying herself as Jade with Asset Hunters out of Richmond as a spammer. She has been repeatedly calling, leaving voicemails, and sending text messages claiming to inquire about an investment property.
February 2026 | Alert: Fake Zoom Links Used to Access Devices
Members have reported a scam involving fake Zoom links that can give scammers access to your device, especially on Windows or Android systems. Scammers pose as buyers or investors and request a Zoom call. When members send their own Zoom link, the scammers claim it won’t work and insist on using a link they created, often sent at the last minute. These links can look legitimate but may trigger malware or data access once clicked.
Important reminders:
January 2026 | Alert: Fake Boar’s Head Resort Email to BrokerPlus Registrants
Virginia REALTORS® has issued a notification that an email “claiming to confirm hotel reservations was recently sent to Boar’s Head Resort guests, but the Boar’s Head Resort has confirmed that it did not come from them. They advised that guests should avoid clicking any links or providing personal information, as all reservations in this block remain secure. Their IT team is actively investigating the issue to resolve it quickly.”
January 2026 | Fake Albemarle County Business License Tax Email in Circulation
A fraudulent email posing as Albemarle County is encouraging recipients to click a link about a business license tax statement. Legitimate Albemarle County email addresses, websites, and links end in .org. Both the scam email address and link do not. Please avoid clicking any links and report the message to Albemarle County. Thank you for being vigilant and helping maintain the integrity and safety of our community.
