Protect your business, your reputation and your clients when you receive phone, email or text requests for showings by taking proper steps to verify the identity of other real estate agents.

In recent weeks, the Chicago Association of REALTORS® has received reports of scammers pretending to need lock boxes or one-day codes for showings. In these instances, the scammers claim their ShowingTime app is not working, and they will use an agent’s name, brokerage and MLS ID.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation/Division of Real Estate recommends four steps:

• Verify the phone numbers or email addresses used to request lockbox access match the phone numbers or emails associated with showing agents in their MLS profile.
• Use reliable online tools to search and verify unknown phone numbers when lock box instructions are requested.
• Use a showing management system like ShowingTime, which is tied to an agent’s MLS credentials and log in.
• Use Sentrilock lock boxes for all your listings and provide temporary access via SentriConnect instead of a one-day code.

If you believe you have been scammed, follow the Federal Trade Commission guidelines at: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/