Homeowners are receiving texts from a person claiming to be “Sylvia” asking if they still own their home at a certain address and if they’d be willing to sell.
And because the texts are so specific, it’s making people do a double take or even respond.
“They sound and act legit but how do they know me and my address, and if I say ‘Yes’ what are they gonna do?” Brian Kirby, an attorney with Ballard Spahr said.
He’s received dozens of calls over the years to buy his out-of-state home and now has been texted by “Sylvia” in Sioux Falls. He’s not alone. Dozens of people have shared on social media how oddly specific the text is and how it asks about selling their home.
But as with most things that feel slightly off, the message is most likely a scam — part of a growing trend of text scams over calls in recent years that have hit homeowners dealing with people legitimately seeking to buy homes that are off-market in a sparse real estate landscape recently.
More:How to buy a home in Sioux Falls’ crowded real estate market
Multiple Argus Leader calls to a 605 number that “Sylvia” appeared to be using returned a ‘User Busy’ signal.
“We knew this was coming. We anticipated this would happen because other states are dealing with this,” Jody Gillaspie, the director for consumer protection at the state’s Office of the Attorney General said. “We’re kind of shocked we didn’t get it sooner than this.”
Texts offering to refinance, purchase and make other…