Property scams vary greatly in how they are executed, but they all aim to steal money from unsuspecting individuals who are interested in renting, buying, or leasing a property. In these types of scams, the fraudsters often pose as property owners, landlords, real estate agencies, property management companies, or other property-adjacent businesses to trick their victims into handing over money or sensitive financial and personal information that they can use to steal from them.

Key points

Don’t pay anything upfront to view a property or before you have a written and signed contract that is approved by a lawyer or an independent expert.

Don’t share any personal information, such as your social security number or bank account number, with anyone until you’re sure a deal is real.

Always view properties in person and make sure they match the listing you saw, both in appearance and description.

Do your own research to verify the authenticity of rental or property sale companies.

Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics, especially for refinancing your mortgage or paying for foreclosure relief services.

Escrow Wire Fraud

Loan Flipping Scam

Foreclosure Relief Scam

Moving Scams

Commercial Real Estate Scam

Title or Deed Scam

Fake Property Listings

Fake Letting Agents and Landlords

Fake Overseas Landlords

Phishing Scams

Fake Printed Listings

The property itself looks like a scam. Any property you actually go view should look like it does in the pictures you saw online and match the listing description.

Lack of proper documentation. Scammers often create bogus documents designed to steal information from you or trick you into thinking a sale or rental is legit.

The property “owners” or “landlords” won’t meet you in person.

Movers won’t provide you with a written estimate and contract for moving services.

Foreclosure relief service companies contact you out of the blue.

Someone is using high-pressure sales tactics to ask you for money upfront, get you to refinance a mortgage, or get you to sign up for foreclosure release services.

You can’t verify whether a real estate company is real or not by looking them up online.

Never pay anything upfront before you’ve seen a property and are sure the deal is legit. No one should ever charge you anything in order to show you a property you’re interested in renting or buying.

Have a lawyer or a real estate agent review all contracts for sales or rentals before you sign anything.

Be aware of current market values for renting and buying in your area. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Don’t give out personal details or financial information online or over the phone.

Don’t wire funds after being contacted by email or phone. If you’re in the process of buying a property, go to the office of the agency you’re working with and do it in person.

Do your research about property companies or individuals selling or renting properties. Google their names and check any reviews to make sure they are legit and have not already been flagged as scammers.

Always meet landlords or sellers and view a property in person before you commit to anything.

Hire your own property inspector before buying a property and make sure they are certified and have good reviews. If you can get a personal reference for one, that’s ideal.

Make sure to get a written estimate and have both parties sign a contract when you hire movers.

Don’t give in to pressure to refinance your mortgage and borrow more money when it’s not necessary.