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Vacant land seller impersonation scam
Imagine finding out that a lot you own, a vacation home or a parent's inherited land was sold to a stranger, and you never signed anything. The FBI warned in June 2026 about criminals who pose as the owners of vacant property and try to sell it without the real owner's knowledge.
These scams target property that isn't lived in by the owner: vacant lots, rentals, vacation homes and inherited land, often with no mortgage. Because nobody is living there, the real owner may not find out for months or even years. Both the owner and the buyer can end up as victims.
What the message looks like
From: Robert Ellison <r.ellison.land@outlook-mail[.]com>
Subject: Listing my lot on Ridge Road – quick sale
Hi, I own the 5-acre parcel on Ridge Road and would like to sell quickly. I'm fine pricing it below market for a fast cash closing.
I'm overseas caring for a family member, so I can't meet in person. I can sign with a remote notary.
Please call me at 555-0187 and send the closing funds to my attorney's account.
How this scam works
The criminals look up owners in public county records or buy personal details from data brokers or hackers. They make fake driver's licenses or passports, set up a new email address and an internet phone number, and contact a local real estate agent pretending to be the owner.
They usually price the property below market value and push for a quick sale, often paying in cash. They won't meet in person, saying they're ill, traveling or dealing with an emergency, and they may use remote or foreign notarization and forged deeds.
At closing, they ask for the money to be wired to an account in another name or another state, sometimes through a co-conspirator. Once the money is gone and the deed is recorded, untangling the title can take time and legal help.
Red flags
- A seller who only uses email, text or an internet phone number and won't meet in person.
- A price below market value and pressure to close fast, often in cash.
- A seller who knows little about the property or lacks basics like a survey or tax information.
- A deed notarized abroad or by an unfamiliar remote notary.
- Sale proceeds sent to an account in a different name or a state unrelated to the property.
How to tell it’s fake
- Owners: ask your county recorder, register of deeds or county clerk whether they offer free alerts when a document is recorded with your name or parcel, and sign up.
- Keep the mailing address on your property tax record current, and let neighbors know how to reach you.
- If a title company or agent writes about a sale you didn't start, respond right away. That letter may be your only warning.
- Buyers and agents: send a certified letter to the owner's address on the tax record to confirm the sale. When a deal feels off, ask a real estate attorney or scam expert for a second opinion.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- If you see your property listed for sale without your permission, contact the agent or listing site right away to say you're the owner and it isn't for sale, and ask them to remove the listing.
If you paid
- Buyers: if you wired money, call your bank immediately and ask it to recall the wire, then tell your title company and report at ic3.gov with the account details used.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- Owners: if a fake deed was recorded, contact a real estate attorney, your title insurer and local law enforcement, and report it at ic3.gov.
- Ask about your title insurance coverage; some owner's policies cover forgery and the cost of restoring your title.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard runs in Chrome and Edge on your computer. It can flag look-alike email addresses and suspicious payment pages in messages you open there, but it can't check county records or tell whether a seller really owns a property, and it can't hear phone calls. For any property sale or wire, verify ownership through the county and your title company, and ask a scam expert if something feels off.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
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Zu Opera hinzufügenQuestions people ask
- How would I know if someone sold my land?
- Sign up for your county's free property or name alert if it offers one, keep your tax mailing address current, and answer any letter from a title company.
- Does this only happen to vacant land?
- It mostly targets property the owner doesn't live in, such as lots, rentals, vacation homes and inherited land.
- Does title insurance help?
- It can. Review your policy, and ask a title professional about coverage for forgery after you bought the property.
- Where do I report it?
- Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov, your local police, and your title company.