NEWSROOM
Fraud Alert: On-line Scam and Unauthorized Use of ERA Real Estate Brand Name
Recently, ERA Real Estate has been made aware of an On-Line Scam involving the unauthorized use of our brand name. The scam is being perpetrated by individuals using the fraudulent business name of ERA Property Movers located at 1060 Fulton Mall, Fresno, CA. This company has no affiliation with ERA Real Estate or the independently owned franchisee, ERA Property Movers, Inc. located at 1802 S Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, CA.
This scam works through an e-mail sent to individuals who own timeshares. The e-mail offers an opportunity to sell that timeshare to ERA Property Movers. (We are aware of offers to purchase timeshares in Mexico, but the scam may not be limited to these instances.) Once the individual expresses interest in selling the timeshare, the scammers will send an e-mail stating that certain payments are necessary to complete the transaction. This fee is usually declared a “Transfer Fee” and valued at 10% of the agreed sales price. Payment of this amount will be met with further requests for upfront payments made by the seller, to be wired directly to ERA Property Movers, or Platinum Capital Group (a company suspected to be an accomplice to this fraud).
If you receive an e-mail matching the above description, be advised that ERA Real Estate is not associated and believe the individuals to be perpetrating a fraud. If you wish to notify the authorities about this suspected On-Line Scam, we have provided contact information below that will be useful to you.
- 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.