Scammers often look for:

• Unoccupied properties
• Vacant land or lots
• Rental or investment properties
• Vacation homes
• Properties occupied by someone other than the owner

They pose as the owner, list the property for sale, and attempt to push a quick closing before their deception is discovered.

Be alert if you notice:

• An absentee owner pushing for a below-market price or demanding an all-cash deal
• A seller who avoids phone calls and only communicates through email or text
• A seller who is overly eager to close, refuses negotiation, or focuses only on a fast transaction
• Instructions to wire funds to a bank far from the property location or unrelated to the seller’s listed address
• A phone number that keeps changing or displays a name not connected to any documentation (possible burner phone)
• A For Sale By Owner (FSBO) situation where no one has ever met or heard of the seller until a buyer appears
• A seller who initially states they’ll attend closing, but later claims they can only sign remotely using their own notary

Protect yourself and confirm ownership by:

• Requesting a face-to-face meeting or video call — refusal is a major red flag
• Asking for documents only a true owner should have:
  • Tax bill
  • Utility bill
  • Copy of the title policy
  • Survey from when the property was purchased
• Requesting a government-issued ID, and if needed, sending a certified letter to the tax-bill address
• Obtaining a voided check along with a disbursement authorization form
• Searching social media and using Google to investigate the name of the seller
• Conducting an independent search of the title company
• Asking questions about the property that are not publicly available
• Using a wire verification service to confirm ownership and account information

Act quickly:

• Stop all communication with the suspected scammer
• Remove the listing from all platforms
• Notify anyone who may have been involved or affected
• Contact local law enforcement