I recently received an offer on behalf of my sellers. The offer contained a $1000.00 earnest money check that "appeared" odd to me. The EM check stated: "Dummy Check"

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TENNESSEE HOME TEAM, LUXURY HOMES & SUPERIOR SERVICE (Adaro Realty, Inc.)

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Rainmaker
913,228

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

Just send us your checking account # and routing # and we'll transfer the the funds into your account.

Jul 16, 2015 02:08 AM

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2

TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN
Lise Howe

Washington, DC

Rainmaker
292,685

Jack Lewitz

Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

If you try to deposit it then whose the dummy?

Jul 16, 2015 12:24 AM

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TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN
Lise Howe

Washington, DC

Ambassador
3,167,239

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

we have gotten a fake EMD, but it didn't say dummy check. It was a faked cashier's check and we called local law enforcment. The FBI came and collected the check and emails.

Jul 16, 2015 12:01 PM

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1

TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN

Rainmaker
2,374,231

Lise Howe

Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC

Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Run! Because the buyer will run soon

Jul 16, 2015 04:06 AM

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TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN

Rainmaker
212,755

Stefan Winter

Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV

Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

Never had that happen, it is amazing what we see in this business!

Jul 16, 2015 03:11 AM

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TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN

Rainmaker
1,574,666

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Weird is the norm in this business any more! Dummy checks accepted by dummies I guess..good catch!

Jul 16, 2015 12:56 AM

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TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN

Rainmaker
921,504

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041

ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL

Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Of course this is a predator. Now, if you have time, and need some entertainment.....

Go ahead and tug the line and see what happens. When you flush the rat out of the hole, let us all know. Try to get them to spend as much money as possible.

Set up a file or email account to perserve all communications. You'll want to include it in the book you will consider writing later.

They called you a "DUMMY" so make them pay.

Jul 16, 2015 12:17 AM

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Lise Howe

Washington, DC

Rainmaker
4,580,874

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hmm...no...very odd. What did the buyers' agent say?

Jul 16, 2015 12:09 AM

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1

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque, NM

Rainmaker
699,277

Chris and Dick Dovorany

Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL

Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

It's a scam. Throw it away and move on. We only accept wire transfers.

Jul 16, 2015 12:09 AM

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1

TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Murfreesboro, TN

Rainer
119,258

TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Adaro Realty, Inc. - Murfreesboro, TN

LUXURY HOMES & SUPERIOR SERVICE

I just wanted to get opinions from everyone. The check was actually used on MULTIPLE deals from an investor in CA and the agent in Tennesse is now having to explain why he presented a check from a buyer (his CA investor) on Multiple deals. I did not disclose the fact that I received this check on (3) THREE DEALS that I had listed. A "DUMMY CHECK" according to my title attorny is NO GOOD and is indeed fraudulant. According to Tennessee Real Estate Commission Rules; I must keep records of all offers even if they do not consitute a binding agreement. A "Dummy Check" with a 2014 issue date is in violation of TREC rules. The Broker and agent are now under investigation. Lesson learned........Dummy Checks are NO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 16, 2015 05:20 PM

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Ambassador
6,413,711

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Seems a scam is coming along every day.

Jul 16, 2015 04:54 PM

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Rainmaker
345,130

Yolanda Hoversten

Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL

Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

It's not as malicious as it looks. It's an offer accompanied by a "dummy check" that is probably going to be an electronic funds transmission when the contract is executed. Present the offer, and if the seller is going to counter, stipulate that the EM will be deposited to an escrow account. (In my area, escrow is opened with a title company of seller's choice.)

When my buyers write an offer, it's accompanied by a copy of the EM check, especially if the offer is written through Dotloop or scanned to E-mail. The EM is dropped off/mailed/wired after the contract is executed.

Jul 16, 2015 07:40 AM

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Rainmaker
687,136

Hella Mitschke Rothwell

(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI

Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

If they are legit, they could be initial checks on a new account? So, in essence, "temporary" checks? Or the 180 days could have meant, that after being "issued", meaning if you write out the check and it's not deposited within 180 days it becomes invalid? Always good to check these things.

Jul 16, 2015 06:15 AM

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Rainmaker
4,800,132

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

I've never had anything like this happen to me. (Though, I guess it's better than a check that you don't know will bounce.)

Jul 16, 2015 04:25 AM

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Rainmaker
1,663,836

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

That's a new one for me.

Jul 16, 2015 02:42 AM

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Rainmaker
4,319,773

Praful Thakkar

LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA

Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Daniel Hayes - possible. The check is no good until there is an agreement between buyers and sellers.

However, if the seller accepts the offer, the REAL check should be expected.

Jul 16, 2015 01:52 AM

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Rainmaker
1,466,257

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Daniel Hayes You weren't supposed to catch it.Good job on your part. Did you go back and ask for certified funds or did the buyer run?

Jul 16, 2015 01:31 AM

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Rainmaker
175,614

Spirit Messingham

Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ

Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

NO, I have not even heard of that before. Needs to be a real check, as we know title does cash them.

Jul 16, 2015 12:42 AM

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Just send us your checking account # and routing # and we'll transfer the the funds into your account.
we have gotten a fake EMD, but it didn't say dummy check. It was a faked cashier's check and we called local law enforcment. The FBI came and collected the check and emails.
Never had that happen, it is amazing what we see in this business!
Weird is the norm in this business any more! Dummy checks accepted by dummies I guess..good catch!
Of course this is a predator. Now, if you have time, and need some entertainment.....

Go ahead and tug the line and see what happens. When you flush the rat out of the hole, let us all know. Try to get them to spend as much money as possible.

Set up a file or email account to perserve all communications. You'll want to include it in the book you will consider writing later.

They called you a "DUMMY" so make them pay.
It's a scam. Throw it away and move on. We only accept wire transfers.
I just wanted to get opinions from everyone. The check was actually used on MULTIPLE deals from an investor in CA and the agent in Tennesse is now having to explain why he presented a check from a buyer (his CA investor) on Multiple deals. I did not disclose the fact that I received this check on (3) THREE DEALS that I had listed. A "DUMMY CHECK" according to my title attorny is NO GOOD and is indeed fraudulant. According to Tennessee Real Estate Commission Rules; I must keep records of all offers even if they do not consitute a binding agreement. A "Dummy Check" with a 2014 issue date is in violation of TREC rules. The Broker and agent are now under investigation. Lesson learned........Dummy Checks are NO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
It's not as malicious as it looks. It's an offer accompanied by a "dummy check" that is probably going to be an electronic funds transmission when the contract is executed. Present the offer, and if the seller is going to counter, stipulate that the EM will be deposited to an escrow account. (In my area, escrow is opened with a title company of seller's choice.)

When my buyers write an offer, it's accompanied by a copy of the EM check, especially if the offer is written through Dotloop or scanned to E-mail. The EM is dropped off/mailed/wired after the contract is executed.
If they are legit, they could be initial checks on a new account? So, in essence, "temporary" checks? Or the 180 days could have meant, that after being "issued", meaning if you write out the check and it's not deposited within 180 days it becomes invalid? Always good to check these things.
I've never had anything like this happen to me. (Though, I guess it's better than a check that you don't know will bounce.)
Daniel Hayes - possible. The check is no good until there is an agreement between buyers and sellers.

However, if the seller accepts the offer, the REAL check should be expected.
Daniel Hayes You weren't supposed to catch it.Good job on your part. Did you go back and ask for certified funds or did the buyer run?
NO, I have not even heard of that before. Needs to be a real check, as we know title does cash them.