As the commissioner of the Department of Real Estate, Susan Nicolson keeps a sharp eye on real estate fraud while overseeing thousands of real estate licensees.
It’s no small task. Nicolson said her department receives at least one, if not two or three, reports every week of some type of real estate fraud.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, they have received 372 real estate fraud complaints since January 2024. Several lawmakers have written legislation to address these issues, such as Sen. Wendy Rogers’ Senate Bill 1426, which more quickly stops squatters from claiming a home as their own. The bill was signed into law this year.
“I knew the pain and the pressure points because I was a practicing agent,” said Nicolson, whom Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed in 2023. “Whenever it is that I am finished, I know Arizonans will be better protected in their property.”
She also…
Shred all physical documents that contain your full name, address, ID number, or financial details before throwing them in the bin to prevent “dumpster diving” identity theft.