As a local real estate professional, protecting homeowners — especially seniors — is incredibly important to me. The California Department of Real Estate is warning residents about an increase in real estate and mortgage scams targeting older adults. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of trust, confusion, or financial stress, and their tactics continue to evolve.
The best protection is awareness and working with licensed professionals you know and trust.
Smart Ways to Protect Yourself
Always be cautious when contacted by someone you don’t know about your home, loans, or rental opportunities. Verify licenses through official state websites before working with anyone offering real estate services.
Never wire money, send cash, or provide sensitive personal information such as your Social Security number unless you are certain you are dealing with a legitimate, licensed professional.
Avoid paying upfront fees for foreclosure help, rental lists, or loan services. And most importantly, never sign documents you don’t fully understand or that contain blank spaces.
Even if someone sounds knowledgeable or looks professional online, that does not mean they are legitimate. If an offer sounds too good to be true — it usually is.
Common Real Estate Scams Happening Right Now
Some of the most common schemes include foreclosure rescue promises, fake online rental listings, fraudulent property managers, reverse mortgage scams, timeshare resale offers, investment schemes, and even criminals forging property records or pretending to sell vacant land they don’t own.
Homeowners should also monitor their property title periodically — just like checking your credit — to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.
How to Report Fraud
If you believe you’ve been targeted or have concerns about a real estate professional, you can file a complaint directly with the California Department of Real Estate through their consumer portal.
❤️ My Advice as Your Local Resource
Your home is one of your most valuable assets, and you deserve guidance you can trust. If you ever receive suspicious calls, emails, or offers related to your property — call me first. I’m happy to help you verify information, review documents, and make sure you stay protected.
