Real estate scams are getting smarter. Here’s how to fight back 

As real estate scams become more sophisticated, real estate professionals and consumers face new risks at nearly every stage of a transaction. According to the FBI, there were more than 12,000 complaints of real estate-related fraud in 2025, totaling $275 million in losses. The Federal Trade Commission also reported more than 210,000 incidents of loan or lease identity theft, alongside thousands of cases tied to home improvement and mortgage-related scams. 

As fraud tactics evolve, real estate agents can serve as a critical line of defense, helping clients slow down, verify details and avoid costly mistakes. Here are top tips from REMAX real estate professionals on recognizing potential scams and how to help prevent them. 

What today's scams look like 

Wire fraud remains one of the most damaging threats, particularly as closing approaches. Jennifer Atkisson-Lovett, Broker/Owner of REMAX of Stuart in Florida, has navigated a couple of clients through cases tied to email spoofing, where a malicious sender impersonates a trusted advisor.

These types of scams often involve fake emails that appear to come from a title company or real estate agent but with a sense of urgency pushing the recipient to take action — most often by telling them to wire funds quickly. Atkission-Lovett said in some cases, hackers gain access to transaction emails and monitor activity until just before closing.  

"On our end, we've eliminated risk by not sending wiring instructions via email at all — every transaction requires a verified phone call and secure access code before any funds are transferred," Atkisson-Lovett said. 

Rental scams are also surging, often using legitimate listings pulled from public sites. Josh Jarboe, Broker/Owner of REMAX Empire in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, said scammers are reposting active listings as rentals.

"The homes are often legitimately listed for sale, but the scammer advertises them as rentals at an attractive price to generate urgency," Jarboe said.

Shannon Murree of REMAX Hallmark Chay Realty has seen the consequences play out in real time. "We've had our own 'for sale' listings taken, photos and all, and advertised as rentals at a price that doesn't reflect the market. To a consumer, it looks legitimate because the property is real," Murree said. "The issue is the person behind it has no connection to the property.

"The victim had already e-transferred money before contacting us. They were told to come to us to get the keys. We had no knowledge of the situation. They had only seen the property from the outside and believed they had secured a rental."

Agents say these cases reinforce the importance of encouraging in-person showings, verifying listings and advising clients against sending money without confirmation.

Vacant land and "fake owner" scams are another emerging threat. Melissa Stallings of REMAX of Stuart in Florida said she is regularly contacted by individuals attempting to list land they do not own. To combat this, she prioritizes identity verification and works closely with trusted title partners to confirm ownership records before moving forward.

The tactics behind today's scams

Across transaction types, agents point to the same underlying tactics: urgency, pressure and increasingly convincing impersonation.

"At times, there is always a sense of urgency: 'Can you go to the bank now and take care of this?'" Atkisson-Lovett said. 

Jeffrey Decatur of REMAX Capital in Latham, New York, said speed is often the biggest indicator of a scam. "A big red flag with scams is pressure and quickness. They're trying to get you to do things before anyone else catches on," Decatur said. 

He also pointed to the growing role of artificial intelligence in fraud, including a recent case where a scammer used AI to generate a convincing video impersonation of his own client and then sent the video to Decatur asking for help, ultimately trying to scam the agent. 

"Pirates aren't on boats anymore, they're behind a computer screen," Decatur said.

Red flags to look for

Common warning signs to watch for include requests for immediate payment or wire transfers; refusal to meet in person or allow property access; communication limited to text, email or messaging apps; and listings priced well below market value. 

Murree said a simple rule can prevent many issues: "If you can't verify who you're dealing with and you can't access the property in person, don't send money." 

What agents are doing to stay ahead

In response, agents are tightening protocols such as eliminating email-based wiring instructions and reinforcing verification steps throughout the transaction. Atkisson-Lovett noted her office does not send wiring instructions via email and requires additional verification before funds are transferred. 

Agents say consistent, proactive communication is one of the most effective tools they have. Other actions include requiring wire fraud disclosures early in the transaction, reinforcing "call before you wire" policies, verifying identity and ownership before listing, and monitoring listings for misuse across platforms. 

Jarboe said education is central to that effort. "Slow down and verify everything," he said. 

Decatur takes a similarly proactive approach with clients. "I make a huge deal out of it. If you ever receive an email asking for funds, it is a scam," he said. 

A moment to pause — and lead

While scams continue to evolve, agents say the core approach remains consistent: slow down, verify details and avoid costly mistakes. 

For agents, that pause is often the difference-maker. In a landscape where fraud tactics are changing daily, clear communication, consistent education and proactive verification remain critical parts of the transaction.