Published August 14, 2026·6 minute read·

A professional-looking social profile is not proof of a real estate license. In April 2026, California DRE warned that scammers were copying legitimate agents’ names, photographs, license numbers and other information to create fake accounts and listings. Verification should start outside the message that contacted you.

1. Search the California DRE record directly

Use the regulator’s public lookup and confirm the name, license type, status, number, expiration date and responsible broker. For Patrick J. Panacci, the record observed for this build showed salesperson license #01892274, licensed status, issue date March 18, 2011, expiration March 17, 2027 and responsible broker H&N Realty Enterprises Inc.

Open Patrick’s DRE record

2. Match the brokerage relationship

Patrick’s Keller Williams profile identifies him with KW College Park and the same license number. The DRE record identifies the responsible broker corporation and Upland office. A marketing brand and a legal broker entity may be named differently; the key is that the records reconcile.

3. Start from controlled profile routes

Use links from the brokerage page, this Proof room or the regulator—not a look-alike handle sent by an unknown account. The Social page in this package includes only routes that were linked by verified public sources or supplied for the build.

4. Verify the transaction channel separately

A real license does not make every email, wire instruction, rental listing or payment request genuine. Confirm the title/escrow contact and payment instructions through a known phone number. Do not send funds because a familiar name and photo appear in a message.

5. Treat urgency and secrecy as risk signals

  • New email domain or changed phone without independent confirmation.
  • Requests for gift cards, crypto or unusual payment channels.
  • Pressure to avoid the broker, escrow, lender or attorney.
  • A property offer that cannot be verified through authorized channels.
  • Advance-fee promises to “stop” foreclosure or take over the deed.

Why the site keeps a permanent proof room

Every article, ad, assistant answer and social redirect can return to one source ledger. That gives the client a stable identity anchor and gives the operator a place to detect conflicting or stale public information.

Professional boundary. This article is general educational information. Market statistics are dated; property conditions differ. Patrick must review any property-specific recommendation. Legal, tax, lending and appraisal questions belong with the appropriate licensed professional.