Oregon Herald Editorial Opinion

To determine if there was a case here, one of our senior reporters created an account on RealtyTrac.com and when asked if he was a real estate agent, he check the YES option. There was no verification to be sure that he was, in fact, a real estate agent. A sales rep who identified himself as Jesse Aguilar called and spoke with our reporter. He indicated he would change the account into a high level Real Estate Broker account for an extra fee. Still there was no verification process, no obvious questions such as:

• What is your brokerage firm
• Who is your principle broker
• Are you a broker or sales agent
• Are you a licensed agent or broker

There was absolutely no verification at all through the entire process. The net result of this careless action could place tens of thousands of people in jeopardy. The sheer incompetence and negligence of this action is difficult to fathom. It could be huge.

The sales agent repeatedly contacted our reporter to sell more options. Once he attempted to cancel, the sales agents gave up. Very interesting.

We might also state that the services offered by RealTec.com were confusing, in too many areas inaccurate, too few helpful photos, too little information. In short, the service, in our opinion was mostly worthless.

This seems to be yet another example of an attractive website with an attractive idea that charges what we feel are ridiculous prices with little to offer in return. We feel that this online business is operating fraudulently and should be avoided at all costs. It should have been a warning when they came on like a pack of wild dogs with a constant barrage of emails and offers, even though our reporter opted not to receive such email.

But the most important issue we discovered is that RealtyTrac repeatedly refused to cancel the trial period for the recurring subscription to RealtyTrac. And this was all before the trial period ended. Their website cancel button mysteriously disappeared after a few days. This was several days before the trial period ended. This is theft.

Repeated attempts via email and telephone, and voice mail by our reporter did nothing to get their attention. However, eventually our reporter was able to contact their office where the sales agent stated that the subscription fee had been refunded the day before.

The sales agent lied. This is called fraud.

We then contacted the bank where we were told there were no such refund and if there had been a refund in the last 30 minutes, let alone 24 hours, there would have been a record of the refund. There was none. We know for sure that they lied for a few extra bucks. These sort of criminals need to be prosecuted. This blatant lie tells us that RealtyTrac.com is out of control, is committing fraud, a criminal act, and that all officers should be held responsible for all criminal acts.

Another website, homes.com, seems to be associated with RealtyTrac.

RealtyTrac.com called our reporter who told him near the end of the conversation that they were recording the conversation. This is a violation of law to continue recording and a violation not to first get permission.

The point here is that RealtyTrac.com operates more like a third rate high school website instead of a professional, courteous, friendly business. They seem to be interested in one prime motive, which is to get your money as fast as they can and hang onto it like a bulldog then lie to you about it all. Our reporter had to insist that RealtyTrac.com not contact him further except by email. We will have to wait to see if they follow his instructions.

The net result is that we strongly urge you to avoid RealtyTrac.com at all costs. They represent a sickening scourge, low-life stealing money from customers who only want information. People like James Saccacio who operate fraudulent websites such as RealtyTrac.com need to be locked up. Take a look at his photo. Does James Saccacio look like a decent, lawful person or more like someone who would lie to you then steal your wallet?

I do not trust James Saccacio or anyone who looks like him, or anyone who works for him such as Jesse Aguilar, the liar, the cheat. They might as well be child molesters. My stomach sickens to the same degree.

Subject:

Realtytrac.com
Homes.com