scam – LA Loft Blog

REAL ESTATE NEWS (Los Angeles, CA) — As we collectively navigate the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of real estate, it’s more crucial than ever to stay informed about potential hazards and scams. This blog post article was sparked by a recent report from the Department of Real Estate (DRE) about a rising tide of vacant land property scams. It is essential that we’re all on the same page when it comes to combating these threats.

A Rising Tide of Real Estate Fraud

In 2022, the DRE released a statewide Consumer Alert regarding identity theft and rental properties. Fast forward to the present day, and they’re now highlighting a new fraudulent trend: a growing number of perpetrators posing as owners of vacant land and contacting real estate agents, soliciting their assistance to sell a property they do not own.

Law enforcement and District Attorney offices across California are witnessing a sharp rise in real estate fraud involving identity theft and the sale of vacant land and unencumbered property. The criminals target properties free of mortgages or other liens, often owned by the elderly or foreigners, and use a variety of tactics to facilitate their fraudulent activity.

Drama Next Door: Quick-Thinking Neighbor Foils Real Estate Scam

In an alarming incident, local man Jeorge Dance almost lost his vacant lot to an elaborate real estate scam. His neighbor Maribel Munoz, a licensed realtor, noticed unusual activity on the property and discovered it was fraudulently listed for sale on Zillow. Upon Maribel’s alert, Jeorge contacted the police and the listing agent, uncovering a scam where his property was days away from being sold. The scam was orchestrated over the phone and through electronic signatures, exploiting public property information.

To better protect against such scams, property owners are advised to place their property in a trust or include multiple names on the deed. The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office also urges owners to use its new email notification system, alerting them of any lien or deed recorded against their property within 48 hours. This dramatic near-miss underscores the importance of community awareness and protective measures in real estate, as scams continue to rise in the wake of the fraud-laden pandemic.

The Scam Blueprint

Fraudsters typically follow a pattern, identifying their targets through public records, posing as the owner, and reaching out to real estate agents to list the property. They’ll frequently request a below-market listing price to attract immediate interest and will often insist on no “For Sale” sign being posted on the property. They prefer cash buyers, rapid acceptance of offers, and quick closings. They typically refuse to meet in person, opting instead for contact via email, text, or phone, and they seldom accept video calls.

Their schemes also often include refusing to attend the signing and claiming to be out of the state or country, demanding the use of their own notary who then provides falsified documents to the title company or closing attorney, and insisting that proceeds are wired directly to them. Individually, these factors might not raise eyebrows, but when several or most are present, it’s cause for concern. Unfortunately, such fraud is usually only discovered when recording the transfer of documents with the appropriate county.

Prevention: A Shared Responsibility

Before accepting a listing, real estate agents must ensure they establish and verify the identity of a property owner. They can achieve this by requesting an in-person or virtual meeting and requiring government-issued identification. If a meeting is refused, they should employ a third-party identity verification service provider.

Additionally, agents should conduct an online search using the owner’s name, looking for a phone number and recent photo, and verifying the person’s identity. Other precautions include sending a copy of the electronically signed listing via overnight mail to the address on record for confirmation, and requiring that the property owner provides a copy of a voided check with the seller’s disbursement authorization form. Wire instructions should be double-checked to ensure they match the account details on the seller’s form.

Know What To Do

If you suspect you’ve been targeted in such a scam, or if you discover another real estate licensee potentially involved in fraud, you should report it to local law enforcement or your local District Attorney’s office. Additionally, the information should be provided to the DRE through its Enforcement Online Complaint System. After that, notify the Loft Blog at safety@laloftblog.com

Tools at Your Disposal

As we become more vigilant, it’s important to make use of the resources available to us. These include the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, the California Association of Realtors, the American Land Title Association, and the State of Oregon Real Estate Agency, which all provide comprehensive information and updates on real estate fraud.

Stay Safe in the Real Estate Game

Vigilance is crucial in the world of real estate. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, renter, landlord, or investor, it’s crucial to be aware of these potential scams. Trust your instincts and if something feels off, it likely is. Keep communication transparent, engage professionals when necessary, and use all tools at your disposal to ensure your real estate transactions are legitimate and secure.

Our collective efforts can go a long way towards mitigating and eliminating real estate fraud, making the industry safer for everyone involved. As always, stay informed, be vigilant, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice when needed. The world of real estate is vast and complex, but together, we can navigate it safely and successfully.

Know who and what you are dealing with. Request a free report on any building, property or person. Fill out the online form:

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Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog with information provided by Corey Chambers, Broker DRE 01889449. We are not associated with the seller, homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact 213-880-9910 or visit LALoftBlog.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Text and photos created or modified by artificial intelligence. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.

ASK COREY

Inquiry about listing

Q: Hi, Corey: I found this privately owned house on Craigslist, but it appears too good to be true and I worry that it’s a scam. The Craigslist ad (https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/apa/d/los-angeles-bedroom-bath-full-house-in/7626404699.html) leads to a Google form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEoa8rrNWLDirWigK2FoyXVXeCoubcWFxR5VVNq_X1LlXdAg/viewform) that appears innocuous but I have read a lot about people getting scammed on rental websites. The house is also listed on Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3219-Darwin-Ave-Los-Angeles-CA-90031/20638602_zpid/). Do you think that this is a real listing? If so, I think I will apply. I appreciate your professional opinion on this. Thanks,Emily

A: I don’t recommend applying for a rental property online without first seeing the property and the owner/manager/agent. Legitimate property owners usually offer a viewing first, while scammers prefer to force a payment or an application first.

There’s a small chance it could be legitimate. You might want to try requesting a viewing, and try contacting the owner’s email and asking for their contact info. Then, I can verify the contact info for you if you’d like.

It is generally not recommended to complete an application, pay or provide personal information online without first visiting the property and meeting with the landlord or property manager. Often, scammers will insist on rushing through the process, avoiding in-person meetings, or avoiding showing the property.

Online applications can be legitimate, but they should only be filled out after you’ve had a chance to tour the property and confirm the legitimacy of the listing. Direct interaction with the landlord or property manager, seeing the property first-hand, and not rushing through the rental process are crucial steps in avoiding scams.

Additionally, if a rental seems too good to be true, or the rental process seems too easy or fast, those could be red flags. As always, caution and due diligence are important when navigating the rental market.

They are also failing to provide contact information in all of the listings and web pages, another major red flag. Legit owners/managers/agents usually try to provide contact info whenever possible.

A legitimate landlord or rental agency will typically provide a way to contact them directly, whether that’s through a phone number, an email address, or even a physical office location. The total absence of contact information is indeed a red flag and could be indicative of a scam or an indication of poor service.

Without a way to directly reach out to the individual or organization, it becomes much more challenging to verify the legitimacy of the listing or to ask questions about the property or the rental process. It also makes it more difficult to arrange a viewing of the property.

This, combined with the online application before a viewing, should definitely raise suspicions. It’s essential to approach this kind of situation with caution and to consider looking at other properties where the landlord or rental agency is more transparent and communicative. For Craigslist listings with multiple red flags, click to flag the listing in the middle top of the Craigslist property page.

For the property in question, our research indicated that the home was available for lease by legit owners, but they were attempting to minimize the number of non-serious inquiries. They had the price a bit low because they like to receive plenty of applications so that they may be choosy for just the right tenant. That may or may not be a wise business decision, costly for the many applicants, who must waste $35 to $40 each for lots of applications and credit reports. It may also be costly for the landlord as far as missing many good renters who did not apply due to a lack of contact information, lack of communication and missing offer to view the property for Craigslist users.

The search for a new home can be both exciting and overwhelming, particularly in the digital age. While the internet provides an abundance of resources and opportunities to find your perfect place, it also opens the door for scammers and less scrupulous landlords looking to take advantage of eager renters. In this guide, we’ll share some essential tips on how to spot a fake property rental listing.

1. It’s Too Good to be True

One of the most common red flags is when a listing seems too good to be true. Scammers often entice potential victims with rental rates that are significantly lower than other comparable listings in the area. They may also list amenities or features that are uncharacteristically luxurious for the rental price. If the deal appears too good to pass up, it’s a signal to be cautious. Research similar properties in the area to get a feel for average rental rates and what they offer.

2. Lack of Contact Information

Legitimate landlords, property managers, or rental agencies will typically provide ample contact information, like a phone number, email address, or physical office location. However, scammers tend to avoid sharing this information to make it more difficult for potential renters to reach out or verify their legitimacy. If a listing does not include contact information, or if the contact information provided doesn’t match what you find through independent research, consider it a significant red flag.

3. Application Before Viewing

While online applications have become increasingly common in the rental process, legitimate landlords or rental agencies will typically arrange an in-person viewing of the property before asking you to fill out an application. If a listing insists that you complete an online application – which often includes sensitive personal information – before you’ve even seen the property, be wary. This can be a tactic used by scammers to collect your personal information.

4. Pressure to Act Quickly

Scammers frequently create a sense of urgency to push potential renters into making hasty decisions. If the landlord or property manager is pressuring you to sign a lease, pay a deposit, or hand over personal information immediately, without allowing you time to thoroughly consider your decision, it could be a scam. A legitimate landlord understands the importance of this decision and will give you time to think it through.

5. Upfront Payments

Beware of listings that require an upfront payment before you’ve signed a lease or even seen the property. Scammers often ask potential renters to wire money, pay with a gift card, or use other untraceable methods to secure the property. No legitimate landlord or rental agency would require payment before a contract is signed and they have demonstrated their legitimacy.

6. No In-Person Meeting

In today’s digital world, it might not be uncommon for some conversations with landlords or property managers to take place over email or phone. However, they should always be willing and able to meet in person, especially before signing a lease agreement. If the person you’re communicating with makes consistent excuses to avoid meeting or showing the property, it’s a strong indication of a scam.

7. Poor Grammar and Spelling

While a few typos shouldn’t necessarily discredit a listing, noticeable patterns of poor grammar, spelling errors, or unprofessional language can be an indicator of a scam. Professional property managers or landlords will typically ensure their listings are well-written and error-free to attract serious inquiries.

8. Trust Your Gut

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of intuition. If something doesn’t feel right about a listing, the communication with the landlord, or the rental process – trust your gut. There are plenty of legitimate rentals out there, so don’t feel compelled to settle for a situation that makes you uncomfortable.

Remember, finding a new home should be an exciting new chapter, not a cause for

stress or financial loss. By being informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself against rental scams. When in doubt, take a step back and evaluate the situation. Ask questions, do your research, and don’t rush into any agreements without fully understanding the terms.

9. Conduct a Reverse Image Search

In an attempt to make the listing seem legitimate, scammers might use images taken from other legitimate listings. If the images seem unusually professional, or the property seems too perfect, conduct a reverse image search on Google to see if the images appear elsewhere online. This could help you determine if the listing is a potential scam.

10. Verify Ownership

If you have the opportunity, it can be beneficial to verify the ownership of the property. This could be done through local property tax records or registries, many of which are available online. If the name of the person or company you’ve been communicating with doesn’t match the owner on record, proceed with caution.

11. Use Trusted Platforms

Where you find the listing can also provide clues about its legitimacy. While scammers can target any platform, some websites have strict processes for verifying listings and landlords. If possible, use trusted platforms and always read reviews if they are available.

12. Professional Help

Finally, consider getting professional help if you’re uncertain. Real estate agents, legal consultants, or experienced friends can provide valuable advice and potentially spot red flags that you may have overlooked.

We did some advanced research using special premium person identification, property records search and verification report services (included with the Top Level Tour). It turned out that this L.A. property was legit, but had already received several acceptable applications. So, it ultimately did not offer very good odds for Emily anyway.

Stay vigilant and informed as you embark on your property rental journey. By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that you’re well-prepared to spot and avoid potential rental scams. Happy house hunting!

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