© Freddy Kahyun | Dreamstime.com
This is one you should definitely hear: A woman in Minnesota recently got a shocking phone call. Her husband had some nasty financial problems with unpaid loans going back years. The caller announced that they were going to foreclose on her husband's house.
The mysterious caller gave the woman a case number and a phone number to call for more information. The husband insisted he never took out a loan. Luckily, the woman was smart; she called the county recorder's office and was told there was no record of their property. It's all a scam, and homeowners across the U.S. are victims.
Who is your target audience?
Lenders secure loans with liens that they can use to claim your property if the borrower doesn't make payments, but there is always paper trail.
Scammers also target homeowners who are on the brink of foreclosure. They contact the homeowners and promise to help them out of their predicament for a little cash. Scammers call the homeowners and try to persuade them to refinance their mortgage.
Are you buying a home? Scammers have your sights set on you, too. They will create fake real estate listings to trick you into making a down payment. They may pose as an escrow company and ask you to wire money.
Sign up for free notification alerts
The best way to protect yourself from real estate scams is to be proactive. Some counties offer free email, voicemail or text alerts when your name appears on a property document (such as a deed).
Unfortunately, there isn't a comprehensive, centralized directory where you can search for services in every county, but there are some options.
First, check this website to see if your county has a free alert partnership. Your county may offer alerts through their own service.[your county name] +County Recorder” or “[your county name] Find your county's official .gov site by typing “Real Estate Scam Alert” into the site's search bar to avoid scam links. If that doesn't turn up anything, your best bet is to call your county registrar directly; they should have a contact number on their official site.
Do you have a friend thinking about buying or selling a home? Don't let them become a victim. Share this story to help keep them safe!
Tags: home, scam