CYBER FRAUD ALERT - SPOOFING

CYBER FRAUD ALERT - SPOOFING

We have been alerted to the fact that fraudsters are now sending unsuspecting buyers Whatsapp messages, purporting to be the office managers for estate agents, and then telling buyers that their banking details have changed. This is then followed up with an email from (what looks like) THE CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS, confirming this, including logos, signatures - the lot! 

The scary thing is, that there are in fact many websites where you can recreate ANY email address. The websites often appear to be registered in foreign countries where the laws are different. This method of cyber-attack It is called SPOOFING. So the risk that estate agencies' banking details are "changed" by fraudsters, is now becoming very real. How or where they get the buyer/tenant's cell phone numbers from, is unknown - but the point is, it is happening more and more. 

PROP247 wishes to clarify that we will NOT advise anybody via whatsapp or telephone calls. 

Should any of our clients receive any WhatsApp's; emails; telephone calls; SMSs' or any other communication advising that these details have changed, they must take steps to first verify such changes before making any payments. Please contact us immediately.  

Failure to successfully validate the banking details will still leave the party as liable and as such will be bound to the sale agreement/lease should they make payment into a different account due to an error or cyber fraud.

Should you require any clarification or verification, please contact the relevant branch for further assistance :-

Umhlanga    :  031 942 7486

Ballito           :  032 940 0135

Morningside :  031 303 8498