Protect Yourself from Real Estate Scams in 2025

As the holiday season approaches, many people are looking for deals. Some of you may be trying to close on a home before the new year or considering gifting property investments. Unfortunately, scammers are aware of this and real estate scams tend to spike during the holidays. It may not even be something on your radar, but to scammers, you are the perfect victim. Wire fraud and fake listings are some of the most common scams, but others tend to arise throughout the holiday season when people have their guard down. Staying alert and protecting yourself is more important than ever.

What’s Trending in Real Estate Fraud

Wire Fraud

One of the most damaging scams in 2025 is wire fraud. When you message a professional attorney or mortgage broker, you make have noticed those long write-ups at the bottom of each email discussing fraud. There’s a reason for that!

Scammers have gotten bold in our modern, digital world. They can impersonate closing agents or other trusted professionals and send fake wiring instructions just before closing. Buyers who transfer funds to these fraudulent accounts often realize too late that the money is gone. Nearly half of homebuyers and sellers remain unaware of this risk (Source).

False Listings

Fake listings and seller impersonation are still common. While it is a little harder to do so nowadays, you can still find some fake listings from fake sellers. Scammers create listings for properties they do not own, often copying photos from legitimate sources or posting properties already under contract. They may advertise unusually low prices or promise quick closings to lure buyers into sending deposits or even full payments online.

These scams are not limited to residential homes. They also target rentals, vacation properties, and commercial spaces. In some cases, buyers or renters discover the scam only after attempting to schedule a visit, which gives away that the scammer is in fact a scammer. Checking ownership through county records or working with a licensed real estate professional before making any payment is essential. 

Theft

Deed theft and title fraud are also on the rise. Scammers target vacant, underused, or properties owned by out-of-state owners. Then they forge signatures, and record deeds in their name. Once they gain control, they may attempt to resell, mortgage, or leverage the property without the real owner’s knowledge. Victims often do not discover the theft until months later when a lien, mortgage notice, or foreclosure warning appears.

According to a recent survey, 63 percent of real estate professionals reported awareness of such fraud in their markets in the past year.

Real Estate Scams This Season

The holidays create a perfect environment for fraud. Buyers often feel pressure to act quickly to close before the new year or to take advantage of supposed “holiday deals”. A hurried buyer is less likely to verify wiring instructions, confirm ownership, or question unusually low-priced listings. Real estate scams during the holidays do not just threaten savings; they can put the dream of homeownership at risk.

How to Protect Yourself

Protecting yourself from real estate scams starts with awareness and vigilance. Here are a few quick tips to ensure your real estate journey is legit and safe:

• Always verify wiring instructions by calling the company or closing agent using a trusted phone number.
• Do not rely solely on email instructions, especially if those instructions change during the closing process.
• If a listing seems too good to be true, visit the property in person or have a licensed real estate professional check ownership through county records before paying any deposit.
• Monitoring your property’s public records is also a good practice. Many jurisdictions offer deed-record alerts or notification services.
• If you receive any unexpected documents, liens, or transfer notices, contact your closing attorney immediately.
• Work only with licensed professionals, including realtors, lenders, and attorneys who are properly credentialed. Fraud prevention is a shared responsibility and a knowledgeable professional often spots red flags before you do.

Stay Safe This Holiday Season

The holidays should be a time of hope and planning, not regret and financial loss. Real estate scams are evolving, but so are the tools to avoid them. With proper verification and the right partners, you can protect yourself even during the busiest season of the year.

Grand Strand Law Group can guide you through every step of the process, making estate transactions smooth and easy. Give us a call at 843.492.5422. Learn about how we can help with real estate transactions now or in the future.