Urgent Plea for Help

[tireddog]

I just received a desperate call from a woman named Sherry who said she got my number from someone who told her I am a horse rescue. (Turns out the person she spoke to is my mother. It also turns out Sherry is my senile grandfather's new in-home caregiver.) She sounded desperate and authentic, but her story felt remarkably familiar, like a deja vu - I have heard this story previously, I am almost certain. I hope I am wrong.

If anyone can help or has any ideas, please contact me immediately.

Everything that follows is alleged information. Also, I have nothing against Century 21 real estate agents unless they are truly stealing others' money.

Sherry's story:

Sherry moved here (to the Willamette Valley, Oregon) from Arkansas approximately three weeks ago. She said she was instructed by the local Chamber of Commerce to go through a Century 21 agent (name escapes me) for a rental. Sherry reports she sent this agent $3,000 (everything she had) for a rental only to have no rental when she arrived, no refund of her $3,000, and she claims she was accused of attacking the real estate agent's mother. Sherry has three horses, three dogs, and four cats. She said she is living out of her car and in a hay barn on Cloverdale Road (between Pleasant Hill and Creswell). She has asthma and cannot continue to sleep in the hay. She just started work, working for two in-home health care providers, but as of yet, has no money. She needs something modest, but with a place that will accept horses, dogs, and cats.

I know what you all are thinking. No, I cannot take her in. I am not set up to take in permanent residents with this many animals who have no money. Sally and I are financially strapped (strapped does not even begin to explain our finances), and thank God we own our property. I am willing to give her a travel trailer (no Susan, not your Airstream), but that is all I can do. My pastures are full of horses, and my dwellings must be kept available for summer guests, especially all of you.

If anyone has any ideas, please contact me here, by e-mail, or by telephone. If she is legitimate, this woman needs help. She reached out, and if we can collectively help her (moving outside ourselves and all the manure we see flung daily), we would be doing a really good thing.

[rodeo51]

First of all, does she have a copy of the check or money order she sent that agent to help prove she sent it?
I personally would be careful...something doesn't sound right.

[cutiepiepmu]

I worked in the mortgage field for many years (while buidling my nutrition base and know for a FACT that Century 21 does not do that kind of thing. I don't believe they do leasing/rental at all(maybe that has changed) but do know for a fact after making a couple of calls that hey do NOT have you send deposit money up front and then hold it or rent somewhere for you without you being physically there or going through a relocation company - and even then - you sill have to SEE the place to sign off on it unless it is temporary corporate housing. The only way that this would have happened at ALL ( and still won't justify her story) is if she had gone ahed and wanted to PURCHASE a property, put down the $3000 as errnest money on the property and then defaulted in some way on he contract to which she would not get her ernest money back - and the reasons that this would happen would be listed in the inital contract. Even THEN she would have had to SEE the property - the agent certainly wouldn't have just picked it for her. If that is what actually happened- she tried to buy and for whatever reason(bad inspection, financing didn't go through, ect.) she defaulted on the contract or the agent didnt inform her of deadlines and she lost that money because of that - then she needs to speak directly t the broker of that office or go to the regional management.

Century 21(or any other real estate company) would not EVER let an agent hold the money either- it would have to go direcctly to an escrow comapny to be held which is handled not by the agent, but by the office directly. She would know WHICH escrow company as well.

While her story about her current living situation and animals may be correct - IMO the financial story sounds fishy. VERY fishy.

Sara

[piopico]

Hmmmm. On first read, this sounds suspicious. Who in their right mind, who has horses, dogs and cats, would give ALL their money to an agent. I think she should sit on the Chamber of Commerce's steps until they take care of her.......if it was THEIR fault she was ripped off.

[tireddog]

It just doesn't sit right with me either. It doesn't make sense. But I know heavy duty caca happens sometimes.

She wasn't purchasing a home, but the Century 21 agent was acting as a rental liaison. Still, you must have your property management license in order to procure renters for rentals in a real estate agency. Is there anything she could have done to default on an agreement for a rental that would cause the agency to keep her wad?

I may call her, get her address, and drop by - just to see where/how she is living. It is my grandpa and my family (mom and stepdad) who I am most worried about now since they have hired this woman to come in to their home every day while they are gone for extended periods of time.

Keep the thoughts flowing if you have more ... Thank you so much for your input.

[cutiepiepmu]

In my experience -C21 does NOT DO RENTALS and does not carry the license to do so. FLAT OUT. It is also my experiene that chamber of comerce does NOT direct people to specific agencies - but will rather give a LIST of all applicable businesses that relate to the service the person needs. NO - there is NO contract that would cause the to "keep her money" since the agent legall CAN NOT hold her money. The law there is the same in oregon and washington (not sure on other states)

I would do a background check on this person. Get a social security number and DOB - be shady if you have to and print out a "phony" insurance application form. Tell her that legally that your parents home owners insurance/health insurance (take your pick here) require a background check on ANY hired worker in the home in order to be covered under the policy for liability. i can help you get a list of some companies that can do a background check for you if needed.

in my experience - if it leaves a pit in your stomach - something is WRONG. Dont disregard that feeling. Do some research yourself. There are SOOOOO many people that pray on older people out there - and this one sounds completely bizarre. The story doesnt add up.... FLAT OUT!

Sara

[tireddog]

Sara, !

[jenm]

Jun 4, 2009 14:00:59 GMT -5 tireddog said:

Sherry's story:

Sherry reports she sent this agent $3,000 (everything she had) for a rental only to have no rental when she arrived, no refund of her $3,000, and she claims she was accused of attacking the real estate agent's mother.

Shouldn't she have a record of a canceled check? Most likely she would have had to have sent a Cashier's Check or Money Order. I highly doubt she sent 3K in cash to this person. If she claims she sent cash or has no record of the check, then you know for sure something is up.

You could also check with the Chamber of Commerce to see what their policy is when people call and ask for rental information.

[cutiepiepmu]

I have no problem helping people - i do it regularly Everyone at some point needs a little help - BUT - with the world the way it is, especially now, there are just too many people looking for a hand-out or to take advantage/scam others.

Do some homework and if need be, be a thorn in her side enough she goes away. I know your parents probably need the help, but make SURE that a background check is done (not just a credit, but a criminal history and rental history) THEN - call the past landlords or anyone that might be able to give referance. DO NOT ask the person for referancs - seriously - are they going to give you someone who is going to be honest about them if they really ARE crooks?

Hope it all works out. Sounds like a tough situation.

Sara

[shelberttk2]

AJ, interesting....About 3 weeks ago, there was a woman that came into the clinic (I now work for Dr. V) saying she had been ripped off and had dogs, cats and horses and was desperately trying to find a place to stay. She then headed to the library to get on craigslist. This woman kind of talked really fast and had a bit of a drawl to her voice.....We were really busy, I threw out some ideas for her and that was that. I have not seen her since, though she did post a handwritten ad on the board........wondering if it's the same lady? What kind of horses did she say she had? I think this lady had told me she had some sort of gaited horses, I may be wrong....my brain is fizzled out at this point......

[tireddog]

Chelma, I bet it is the same person - especially knowing she came in to Dr. V's office, which is the closest veterinary clinic to where she is staying. She came here approximately three weeks ago (fits) from Arkansas (fits with the drawl). She only mentioned her QH x Percheron gelding who did so poorly in the heat that she decided to move here. I remember her saying, "He had sweat dripping from his eyelashes it was so bad." Do you think it is her? My mom said my grandpa adored her (which is extremely uncommon) and wanted her to come back to the house. (Yes, Grandpa Hollie is now living with Mom and Bill. Chel, I wish you were his caregiver.)

Did she seem sincere? I guess that means nothing - I can be as gullable and naive as they come. I did send my mom all the information you provided about how to go about gaining more information about her. But if she is legitimate, how sad that distrust is the first place we all truly have to go due to the world today.

[kidznhorses]

I think she needs to contact the Oregon State Bar Association and see if there is a local Volunteer Attorney Services. This way she can get legal advice without paying any fees. If she is legit, she will jump at the chance to get some much needed help.

The only other assistance you may want to offer is to help rehome her animals, which she can obviously not afford. To find them good homes should be a huge relief for her. You could post the animals here and on Jonna's board.

I think that's the best thing you can do for her at this point, Amy Jo. You don't want to get tangled up with someone who is going to cause you a lot of grief.

Hope this helps!

[shelberttk2]

I bet you it is the same person. Average build, I think she had longish brown hair....I see so many people each day, I can't remember! I do believe she hung something on the board though, will have to look on Tuesday when I go in.....The QH perchie cross is ringing a bell though.........Hope your Grandfather is doing well, lots of changes going on it sounds like....we haven't spoken for ages.....I am gullible and naive too, so I don't know if she is indeed sincere......

[weone]

If the realtor has a brokers license that person can act as a property management. Totally legal.

[kidznhorses]

Any update on this situation, Amy Jo?

[tireddog]

My 7-year-old has pneumonia and was just diagnosed with asthma. I have been heavily re-evaluating how much time I spend on others and how little time I spend with my children.

Sherry has called me several times, leaving messages marked "urgent." I now know where she is living, and the man whose property she is living on is not a normal person, in my opinion - scary place to be. Yesterday I gave her the name and telephone number of a woman who boards closer to her who I know is losing boarders currently. I am just leaving it to her and told her there is nothing more I am willing to do. She started to ask if I could find her a trailer or something ... maybe my mother told her I have my grandparents' Airstream? Ugh. I'm done. I've gotten myself in some pickles, but always felt responsible to get myself out. I just don't operate the way she does, and I am not willing to get myself sucked any more deeply into her drama. There are so many people who need help (including each of us some days, I imagine), and this one is way too big for me. When she started talking about how the police are involved, her current landlord wants s-e-x (she spelled it out, as if an illiterate child were listening), I realized this was not a job for me, but someone else.

I only hope my mother really listened to me when I offered her all the information you provided and told her that I would not leave my children with her if that woman is in her home. My mother tends to trust strangers implicitly and not listen to her paranoid daughter. We can pray for Grandpa Hollie that my mother makes a responsible, well-informed, adult decision around having this woman in her home, caretaking her senile father.

Thank you for all your help, ladies. And thank you for checking in, Kerr-Bear. I love hearing from you!

[shelberttk2]

There is a volunteer at my work that ran into Sherry at the dog park. She has now drug her into the situation. I really think this woman is a nut case. I tried to warn my friend, but she is quite naive and loves to help people in need. I hope she does not get too involved, and drug into this mess.....ugh...small world, but we ARE talking about the same nut case AJ. Blessings to you and yours, I hope the little guy feels beter soon!

[tireddog]

Thank you for posting this, Chel. This really helps me know I am doing the right thing by stepping away.

[mickeyfan3]

Jun 10, 2009 0:06:05 GMT -5 shelberttk2 said:

There is a volunteer at my work that ran into Sherry at the dog park. She has now drug her into the situation. I really think this woman is a nut case. I tried to warn my friend, but she is quite naive and loves to help people in need. I hope she does not get too involved, and drug into this mess.....ugh...small world, but we ARE talking about the same nut case AJ. Blessings to you and yours, I hope the little guy feels beter soon!

If she's really got animals, after reading all of this, I'm almost thinking a warning to AC might be in order. I'm worried about the animals care and well being. And you guys are right to steer clear. Something sounds off.