Real estate fraud is rising at an alarming rate in the United States, with a new study revealing that 59% of title professionals reported at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt in the past year, up from 28% in 2024. The findings, released by the American Land Title Association (ALTA), highlight a growing threat to property owners and investors, particularly in states like Florida. In response, prominent estate protection and real estate attorney María Marta Calderón, Esquire, has issued a public preventive alert and announced an exclusive series of educational webinars and conferences aimed at equipping the community with legal tools to combat identity theft and wire fraud.
Calderón, who leads her own practice after a distinguished tenure at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “I wanted to share an important alert regarding the rise in real estate-related fraud,” she said. “Among the schemes detected are criminals posing as true property owners to fraudulently sell, transfer, or attempt to mortgage properties, as well as schemes designed to divert deposits and closing funds.”
The ALTA study underscores the scale of the problem: more than half of surveyed title professionals encountered seller impersonation fraud attempts in the last year. Criminals are increasingly using information from public records, forged IDs, fraudulent documents, and even fake websites that spoof legitimate title companies to divert transaction funds. These sophisticated methods make it difficult for buyers, sellers, and agents to detect fraud until it is too late.
Certain properties are at higher risk, according to Calderón. These include vacant land and unoccupied properties; properties owned by individuals residing outside of Florida or the United States; investment, rental, or vacation properties; fully paid-off properties (free and clear); and properties belonging to recently deceased individuals. “If you own properties falling into any of these categories, or if you are concerned about this type of fraud and wish to better understand your level of exposure, we are available to guide you, evaluate your specific situation, and analyze the available measures to help protect your real estate,” Calderón stated.
The implications for property owners, investors, and the real estate industry are significant. Fraud not only causes financial loss but also undermines trust in real estate transactions, which are often the largest investments individuals make. For international investors, who may own U.S. properties remotely, the risks are amplified. Calderón’s upcoming webinars and conferences aim to provide proactive measures that owners can take to reduce these risks and detect suspicious activity quickly.
As real estate fraud continues to surge, staying informed and taking preventive action is crucial. Calderón’s initiative offers a timely resource for those seeking to safeguard their assets. For more information about her practice, visit www.calderon-lawfirm.com or www.hispanictarget.com. The original announcement was distributed via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
