New Scam Has People Getting Tricked Into Robbing Banks

Every week it seems there's a different scam we're hearing about and this week there's a new one that has people getting tricked into robbing banks.

Scammers are the lowest of the low. I particularly hate the ones that target those most vulnerable like the elderly. But anyone can become a victim if you're not careful. Every week it seems we're hearing about new scams. I recently heard about one in Naples that has scammers calling people telling them they missed jury duty. They are them told that unless they pay with cash or gift cards they'll be arrested. The mention of payment with gift cards is usually a dead giveaway, but some people don't know better and this is how the fraudsters pull it off.

The new scam of the week has people getting tricked into robbing banks. You may be scratching your head thinking, how this could be? Believe me, I was too. But let's just say it's taking advantage of people's kindness.

According to KETV, how it starts is with a job posting on Craigslist. The scammer asks for help with an elderly family member. So housework, shopping and running errands..like a trip to the bank. What happens next, or at least what happened with one woman in Omaha, is that when she went to the bank and put the account holder on the phone with the teller, they said that it was robbery. The woman was given the cash and she left, thinking it was a normal withdrawal. So in this case it was the bank that was robbed, not an individual. Thankfully the woman wasn't charged because she didn't steal the money intentionally. However, if the scammer is caught, they will be.

But the other way this is happening is that the scammer will ask the person they hired for their bank info so they can direct deposit pay for the errand. Instead, they'll steal their money.

While these scams have been pulled in Nebraska and Maine, you never know if it will make its way here to Florida. Sometimes the scams seem obvious, but scammers are getting sneaky, so it's always good to be aware and diligent so it doesn't happen to you.

It's not secret that in Southwest Florida, and all of Florida, home prices have skyrocketed. But one metric shows that the trend may be slowing down. This recent study that shows metros where homes are selling for the most under the asking price.  21 of the 50 metros on the list were in Florida. Southwest Florida was well represented with North Port, Punt Gorda, Cape Coral, and Naples all making the list. But one Florida city topped them all.

A study by Stacker analyzed data from Redfin to see which metros had the most homes sold under the asking price. Data shows sales for May 2023. Metros with fewer than 300 home sales are excluded from this list. Metro areas are ranked on the average sale-to-list ratio, which is a ratio of sale price divided by list price, for homes that sold in May. Values are rounded to the nearest hundredth. Also listed are the metro area's median listing prices for homes on the market in May and median sale prices for those homes that sold during that month.

One thing I know that's happening in Southwest Florida is that realtors and their clients are listing a "wish price" well above what they think it may sell for. This list will get you a better idea on what you may be able to bid, but also add the percentage of homes that sold over the ask. As expensive as it's been, nearly 12% in homes are selling above the asking price. Crazy.

If you're looking to move out of state and want to see the full study, that's here. Data posted via a creative commons license. Finally, the original list is 50, this list is only showing the Florida metros.

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $331,762
- Median sale price: $315,000
- Total homes sold: 458
- Share that sold above list: 23.4%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $354,900
- Median sale price: $336,859
- Total homes sold: 968
- Share that sold above list: 18.6%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $414,169
- Median sale price: $401,850
- Total homes sold: 4,050
- Share that sold above list: 19.4%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $399,900
- Median sale price: $370,000
- Total homes sold: 6,002
- Share that sold above list: 19.8%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $339,000
- Median sale price: $325,000
- Total homes sold: 1,478
- Share that sold above list: 16.1%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $375,000
- Median sale price: $353,230
- Total homes sold: 1,217
- Share that sold above list: 17.8%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.98
- Median list price: $289,900
- Median sale price: $270,000
- Total homes sold: 991
- Share that sold above list: 15.2%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $394,693
- Median sale price: $365,000
- Total homes sold: 2,770
- Share that sold above list: 15.2%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $299,900
- Median sale price: $275,000
- Total homes sold: 380
- Share that sold above list: 11.1%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $484,900
- Median sale price: $460,000
- Total homes sold: 2,481
- Share that sold above list: 10.3%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $392,500
- Median sale price: $375,000
- Total homes sold: 518
- Share that sold above list: 9.1%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $372,450
- Median sale price: $350,000
- Total homes sold: 1,536
- Share that sold above list: 14.2%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $520,000
- Median sale price: $450,000
- Total homes sold: 840
- Share that sold above list: 12.6%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $429,900
- Median sale price: $420,000
- Total homes sold: 2,878
- Share that sold above list: 19.1%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $425,000
- Median sale price: $395,000
- Total homes sold: 1,023
- Share that sold above list: 11.3%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $395,000
- Median sale price: $359,900
- Total homes sold: 605
- Share that sold above list: 9.8%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $425,000
- Median sale price: $415,000
- Total homes sold: 2,075
- Share that sold above list: 11.8%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.97
- Median list price: $549,450
- Median sale price: $520,000
- Total homes sold: 2,477
- Share that sold above list: 15.7%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.96
- Median list price: $399,900
- Median sale price: $380,000
- Total homes sold: 424
- Share that sold above list: 8.7%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.96
- Median list price: $749,000
- Median sale price: $650,000
- Total homes sold: 1,098
- Share that sold above list: 7.5%

- Average sale to list ratio: 0.96
- Median list price: $749,000
- Median sale price: $650,000
- Total homes sold: 1,098
- Share that sold above list: 7.5%