Hopewell Police warns residents of real estate listing scams

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) -- The Hopewell Police Department is warning residents of several real estate scams throughout the city.

The department posted to Facebook on Tuesday, March 3, and said they have received multiple reports of real estate scams in the city through fake listings on Facebook Marketplace.

Officials said an investigation into the incidents is ongoing, and offered the following steps to stay safe:

• Never pay upfront
• Work with a licensed professional
• Verify the property
• Inspect before payment
• Check the seller's profile
• Do not send funds to unknown parties via money exchange apps
• Watch for "too good to be true" deals
• Beware of common red flags
  • High-pressure tactics
  • Suspicious pricing
  • Vague descriptions
  • Asking for personal information