⚠️ Real Estate Scam Awareness & Prevention
Updated May 2025
Realcomp continues to receive reports of scams targeting agents, clients, and property listings. As these schemes evolve, it's critical to stay informed and protect yourself and your business.
Below are some of the most common scams affecting real estate professionals—and how you can stay ahead of them:
🛑 Impersonation Scams (“International Buyers”)
A buyer claims to be relocating for a prestigious job and appears legitimate—even meeting you in person. Later, a “relative” reaches out with an urgent request for money.
What You Can Do:
- Never send money or share personal details
- Trust your instincts—urgency + emotion = red flag
- Ask your broker for a second opinion
- Document all interactions and report anything suspicious
💻 Listing Hijacks on Rental Sites
Scammers steal your listing photos and details, reposting them on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace as rentals—often at suspiciously low prices.
What You Can Do:
- Monitor popular platforms for stolen listings
- Set up Google Alerts for your listing addresses
- Report fraudulent posts to the site and the FBI
- Forward Craigslist scams to Realcomp for support
📧 Remote “Buyers” Avoiding Verification
A supposed buyer asks for listing updates but won’t meet in person or verify their identity. They may claim to be traveling or too busy.
What You Can Do:
- Verify before providing updates or access
- Follow your brokerage’s lead screening protocols
- Be especially cautious if the person insists on using apps like WhatsApp exclusively—this may signal a scam attempt
💵 Fake Cash Buyers & Wire Fraud
The buyer provides impressive documentation and requests a fast close—but the wire transfer never arrives. They may ask for keys before closing.
What You Can Do:
- Never release keys before verified closing and cleared funds
- Stick to secure escrow and title protocols
- Don’t bypass procedures, even under pressure
🔓 Showing-Based Thefts
During showings, scammers may unlock windows or doors to return later and steal appliances or valuables.
What You Can Do:
- Double-check that all entry points are secured before leaving
- Never share lockbox codes with anyone other than licensed MLS Subscribers
- Educate sellers on open house and showing safety
🔍 Scam Trends to Watch in 2025:
- AI-generated phishing emails and messages
- Spoofed phone numbers and fake email domains
- Fraudulent wire transfer instructions
- Social engineering tactics using urgency, fear, or flattery
- Buyers or renters who insist on communicating only through encrypted apps like WhatsApp
🚨 Vacant Land Fraud Alert
A growing trend in real estate fraud involves individuals falsely claiming to own vacant land and attempting to list and sell it. Because these properties are often undeveloped and unoccupied, they’re less likely to be monitored regularly—making them easy targets.
Red flags to watch for:
- The "seller" insists on remote communication and refuses to meet in person.
- They request a quick cash sale or seem overly eager to close.
- The property has no recent listing history, yet the seller is unfamiliar or unresponsive to basic property details.
Protect yourself and your clients:
- Verify the seller’s identity through official records.
- Contact the local municipality or use Realist/PRD to confirm ownership.
- Proceed cautiously with any listing involving vacant land—especially when something feels off.
This type of scam is becoming more common—vigilance is key.
🛑 Stay Informed & Report Suspicious Activity
🔗 View Realcomp's Scam Alerts
Visit our Scam Alerts page to see a running list of scams reported by Realcomp Subscribers:
https://realcomp.moveinmichigan.com/News-Events/Scam-Alerts
📝 If You’ve Encountered or Been Affected by a Scam:
📎 Report Internet Crimes: Submit a report through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or download their Cyber Crime Resource Guide (PDF).
Stay alert. Stay protected. Let's work together to safeguard our industry.