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Class Action Complaint Against Move
- Eight Realtors from various states filed a class action complaint against Realtor.com parent company Move, alleging the sale of unvetted and fraudulent leads through Move Network sites.
- News Corp, Opcity, and The National Association of Realtors are co-defendants in the lawsuit.
- The plaintiffs seek damages for the alleged sale of fake buyer leads, equal to the amount spent on Realtor.com leads along with punitive damages.
The Allegations
The lawsuit reveals that Move scrapes data from various sources to create unverified leads for Realtor.com. These leads are then sold to agents as high-intent prospects, despite their lack of verification or intent to engage in real estate transactions. The suit also claims that Realtor.com sells the same leads to multiple agents, breaking promises of exclusivity.
Quality Concerns and Refunds
Realtors who purchased these leads complained to Realtor.com about their low quality, seeking refunds. However, Realtor.com’s response was unsatisfactory, either denying refunds or offering credits to purchase more leads. The suit alleges that the senior executives and officers of Move, Realtor.com, and NAR were aware of these complaints but ignored them.
NAR’s Alleged Role
The plaintiffs also accuse The National Association of Realtors of aiding and abetting in the scheme, trusting Realtor.com’s products and services due to its affiliation with NAR. The lawsuit claims that NAR contributed to endorsing the alleged fraudulent scheme, which deceived many real estate agents.
Legal Actions
Previous lawsuits against Realtor.com over lead quality issues were dismissed without prejudice, but the current suit is moving forward. Despite the denials from NAR and Realtor.com, the plaintiffs are determined to seek justice and hold the involved parties accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
In a landscape where trust and integrity are paramount, real estate professionals must stay vigilant against deceptive practices. The ongoing legal battle highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in lead generation services. As the industry evolves, it’s crucial to prioritize ethical standards and ensure fair treatment for all practitioners. Let’s stand together to demand honesty and reliability in real estate operations.
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