Bay East has been made aware of fraudulent emails being sent to members that appear to come from Bay East. These messages may claim that your account is overdue, that a payment is required, or that you need to sign in to your account, and may include a link to a fraudulent website.
Scammers are active right now, and we want you and your clients to stay protected. Here are two scams to watch for.
1. Phishing emails impersonating Bay East
We’ve had reports of fake emails that look like they come from Bay East. They may say your account is overdue, ask for payment, or ask you to sign in, and they often send you to a fake website.
Please don’t click links, enter your login, or submit payment through these emails. To pay or manage your account, go directly to bayeast.org and log in to the member portal.
2. Advance-fee loan scams
On September 30, the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) warned consumers and licensees that upfront fee loan scams are back. Here’s how they usually work:
- The scammer uses a real lender’s license or creates a fake one.
- They make big promises: 100% financing with no down payment, access to lenders or loan products no one else has, a guaranteed loan, and a refundable upfront fee to get started.
- Once the fee is paid, it suddenly becomes non-refundable. Then the consumer no longer qualifies, or the loan gets stalled.
Anyone collecting advance fees must have an advance fee agreement that’s pre-approved by DRE.
How to help your clients
- Verify the license. Check any agent or loan originator’s license with DRE here.
- Slow down. Encourage clients to ask questions and never feel rushed. Pressure is a red flag.
- Talk it through. If a client is asked for an advance fee, they should flag it with you before paying anything.
- Contact DRE. When in doubt, reach out.
Report suspected fraud
If you think you or a client has been targeted, file a complaint with DRE on this page