In the wake of similar suspicious phone calls in 13 states during the last seven months, Illinois REALTORS® is advising members to contact local law enforcement agencies and their brokerage managers if they receive suspicious phone calls, too.

While all REALTORS® need to stay alert, thus far, reports indicate calls being made to female brokers.

According to an April article in Inman News, female brokers in these states have received phone calls from a deep-voiced man claiming to be “Dwayne Bergeman” and expressing urgency to view a house for a possible purchase. For safety reasons, REALTORS® are strongly discouraged from meeting clients for the first time at a property.

In the NAR safety video, “Personal Safety Tips for Real Estate Professionals,” REALTORS® are instructed to meet clients for the first time at their real estate office or in a public place, such as a coffee shop. During that meeting, REALTORS® should take photos of client driver’s licenses and pre-approval letters so that a record of each client and his or her objectives is established.

NAR offers many safety resources on its website, including webinars, videos, articles, developing a safety strategy and more to protect clients and colleagues.