Seller Impersonation Fraud Is On the Rise

In a real estate market already challenged by limited inventory, rising costs, and increased competition, a new danger is surfacing—seller impersonation fraud. This sophisticated scam is targeting unencumbered properties, particularly vacant land, investment homes, and vacation properties, and it’s spreading fast across California and beyond.

As a real estate broker with decades of experience, I’ve seen trends come and go, but this is different. It’s dangerous, deceptive, and in many cases, it’s avoidable—if you have the right professional on your side.

What Is Seller Impersonation Fraud?

Seller impersonation fraud occurs when a criminal poses as a property owner and attempts to sell a home or land they don’t actually own. By faking identification and using stolen personal data, the fraudster can sometimes get all the way to escrow—and even to a closed sale—before the fraud is caught.

These scams often prey on:

• Vacant land or unencumbered property (no mortgage makes them easier to flip fast)

• Out-of-area or absentee owners

• Properties listed For Sale By Owner (FSBO) where there’s no professional oversight

Real Red Flags to Watch For

Even the most seasoned professionals are on high alert. According to First American Title, here are some signs that something might not be right:

• The seller communicates only by text or email, with no phone calls or video meetings

• They claim to be out of the country or dealing with an emotional emergency

• The sale price is well below market value

• They rush to close and request a mail-away signing

• Proceeds are directed to foreign or mismatched bank accounts

• They use free email addresses and odd language like “kindly” or poorly written messages

Why This Matters to Buyers and Investors

If you’re a buyer, especially looking for land or investment properties, you could unknowingly become part of a fraudulent transaction. When you purchase from a fraudulent “seller,” not only is your money at risk, but you may also lose legal ownership of the property after it’s discovered that the real owner never authorized the sale.

Escrow, title, and lenders can only do so much. They rely on the integrity and thoroughness of the real estate professional(s) managing the transaction.

How a Professional Broker Protects You

When you're represented by an experienced and ethical real estate broker, you benefit from layers of protection:

Identity Verification: A professional will insist on live meetings or video calls with sellers, not just faceless texts.

Market Pricing Review: A good agent will question suspiciously low list prices and investigate the seller’s motivation.

Title Coordination: Brokers often work hand-in-hand with escrow and title officers, asking the right questions early and proactively checking chain of title.

Legal Red Flag Detection: A broker knows when something smells off—foreign wire instructions, last-minute signing excuses, or odd signatures are quickly flagged.

Trusted Vendor Network: From notaries to lenders and inspectors, a broker curates reliable partners to ensure your deal is above board.

What You Can Do Right Now

• Hire a licensed real estate broker—not just any agent, but one with a track record of detail-oriented due diligence and full-time commitment to protecting clients.

• Don’t skip representation, even if buying direct. Dual agency and off-market transactions remove critical layers of protection.

• Ask questions—if the price seems too good, or the seller seems elusive, push for answers.

• Demand transparency in all documents and identity verification, and make sure your broker does too.

Closing Thoughts

In today’s market, trust is everything, and trust must be earned and verified—not assumed. If you're buying, selling, or investing in real estate, protect yourself from scams like seller impersonation fraud by choosing representation that puts your interests first.

At Avant ONE Real Estate, we don’t just do real estate—we do representation differently.

We live, work, and serve the very communities we protect, from Westlake Village to Thousand Oaks, Oak Park to Lake Sherwood, and beyond. With a trusted marketing and support team, deep knowledge of legal red flags, and our client-first promise, we ensure your transaction stays secure, stress-free, and successful.