WASHINGTON — Real estate fraud is no longer a rare occurrence but a growing threat impacting landowners across the United States. From seller impersonation scams to fraudulent deed filings, bad actors are finding new ways to exploit property owners, particularly those with vacant or rural land.
As discussed in a recent National Land Podcast episode, these scams are happening more often than many people realize. For landowners, understanding how these scams work and how to prevent them is essential to protecting one of their most valuable assets.
Here’s what to know about real estate scams in 2026 and how to keep yourself safe!
What Is Real Estate Fraud?
Real estate fraud is a broad term that includes several types of scams, but one of the fastest-growing is seller impersonation fraud. In these cases, a scammer pretends to be the legal owner of a property and attempts to sell it…
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