Colleton County Sheriff's Office Warns Residents About Real Estate Scams

Lina Portman1 week ago

0 1 minute read

WALTERBORO, SC (WCSC) – The Colleton County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to be on the lookout for real estate scams involving scammers posing as real estate agents or homeowners.

While there are many types of real estate scams, there are several common signs:

Scammers will ask victims to wire money or pay before signing a rental or purchase agreement or ask them to pay for a credit check from a specific website or link.
Scammers will pressure their victims into signing by using scare tactics or telling them they need to send money immediately.
Refusal of a person posing as a real estate agent or owner to meet their client in person. Scammers avoid meeting their clients in person to avoid detection by law enforcement.
If a real estate listing makes unrealistic guarantees or contains errors, it may be a scam.
If a potential landlord does not ask for a background check, credit score or reference.

The Colleton County Sheriff's Office is warning residents not to make a payment on a property until they meet with the real estate agent or owner in person.

To report a potential real estate scam to the Colleton County Sheriff's Office, contact them using their non-emergency phone number at 843-589-2211.