Your Board is receiving an uptick in reports of incidents of scams and harassment from REALTORS® across Metro Vancouver.

As the busier fall market fast approaches and Realtors become more active, the risk of scams, theft, harassment, and even assault will increase.

But there are steps you can take to mitigate your risk and keep yourself safe.

• Check all rooms and determine escape routes when you enter a home for the first time. Ensure you can escape from a backyard if you flee through a back door.
• Unlock all deadbolts so you can escape faster.
• Jot down car descriptions, license plate numbers and physical descriptions when attendees arrive.
• Always walk behind the attendee and show the house by directing, not leading, them.
• Watch what attendees are doing at all times. Don't become preoccupied with viewing the home.
• Never advertise a property as vacant, especially online.
• Notify someone in your office or a friend that you’ll call every hour on the hour. If you don't call, they should notify police immediately.
• Tell a neighbour that you’re showing the house and ask him or her to be aware of anything out of the ordinary.
• Ask your clients to consider locking their valuables in a safe or storing them at a relative’s house.
• Have another Realtor join you at your open house to help monitor attendees.

• Keep your personal information private, especially on social media. For example, use a “page” on Facebook for your business, keeping your personal profile private. Click here for more tips.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited links, emails, and texts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Meet new clients in a public place like a coffee shop, or at your office. Never meet new clients at your home.
• Trust your gut — if you sense something is wrong, take steps to avoid the situation.
• Do whatever it takes to remove yourself from an uncomfortable situation.

• Contact the police right away. If you’re not in immediate danger, you can contact your local police department’s non-emergency line. If your harasser is making threats, or if you believe you’re in danger, call 911.
• Copy down any identifying information that might help the police find your harasser, like phone numbers, email addresses, and physical descriptions.
• You should also let us know. Contact Mark Moldowan at mmoldowan@rebgv.org with the details noted above. We keep note of these incidents to provide to police at their request.

Stay safe out there!