The Texas Real Estate Commission and the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board warned on Apr. 24 that scammers are using spoofed phone numbers to impersonate the agencies through fake texts and calls.
This alert is important for license holders and the public, as these scams are designed to steal sensitive personal information such as bank account details or Social Security numbers. The agencies said that recent reports include fraudulent texts claiming recipients are being charged with safety violations in an attempt to trick them into revealing private data.
According to the announcement, neither agency uses text messages for official communication. “The agency does not use text messages as a method of contact. If you receive a text that appears it is from the agency, do not respond and report the message as spam,” officials said. They added that all legitimate enforcement communications occur via email, never by text, and staff will never request full Social Security numbers or credit card information when contacting individuals about enforcement matters.
The agencies also noted an increase in imposters responding to Facebook comments while pretending to be affiliated with them. The public is advised not to engage with such profiles but instead block them immediately. “The agency only communicates using its official channels and not through individuals’ profiles,” they said.
If anyone receives suspicious communications purporting to be from either commission, they should avoid sharing any personal information, especially if pressured for immediate responses. Officials recommend hanging up or deleting suspicious messages and contacting the agencies directly through their verified contact methods.
