{"id":860,"date":"2026-05-07T17:50:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T17:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/?p=860"},"modified":"2026-05-07T17:50:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T17:50:38","slug":"common-scams-targeting-agents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/training\/tech-tip\/common-scams-targeting-agents\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Scams Targeting Agents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In light of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/training\/tech-tip\/scam-alert-fake-zoom-google-meet-buyer-inquiries-targeting-agents\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"857\">recent Zoom\/Google Meet scam<\/a> alerts, I also wanted to share several other common scams currently targeting real estate agents and brokerages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>1. Fake Buyer &amp; Fake Seller Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers pose as eager buyers or absentee property owners wanting to move quickly \u2014 often with cash offers and little negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They frequently avoid in-person meetings and prefer to communicate only through email or text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Common Red Flags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Out-of-state or overseas clients<\/li><li>Refusal to video chat or verify identity<\/li><li>Requests to move unusually fast<\/li><li>Poorly written or scripted emails<\/li><li>Fake IDs or forged documents<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>2. Vacant Land Listing Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one of the fastest-growing scams in real estate today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers impersonate the owners of vacant land and attempt to list and sell the property before anyone notices. Since there\u2019s no occupied home involved, these scams can be harder to detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Best Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Verify ownership carefully<\/li><li>Call owners using public record information<\/li><li>Request notarized identification<\/li><li>Be cautious with sellers insisting on email-only communication<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>3. Wire Fraud &amp; Closing Instruction Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hackers may monitor email conversations and send fake wiring instructions shortly before closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These scams can result in devastating financial losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Red Flags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>\u201cUpdated\u201d wiring instructions<\/li><li>Last-minute changes<\/li><li>Slightly altered email domains<\/li><li>Pressure to wire funds immediately<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Always Remember<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Verify wire instructions by phone using a trusted number<\/li><li>Never trust wiring changes sent only by email<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>4. QR Code Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers place fake QR codes on signs, flyers, open house materials, or public spaces that redirect agents or consumers to phishing websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always verify where a QR code leads before entering credentials or personal information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>5. Check Overpayment Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A scammer sends a check for more than the agreed amount and asks the agent to refund the difference or pay a third party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later, the original check bounces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Important Reminder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Never send money back from unverified funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>6. Social Media &amp; Account Takeover Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Agents are prime targets because social media and email accounts contain valuable client information and marketing reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Send fake Facebook or Instagram warnings<\/li><li>Claim your page violated policies<\/li><li>Ask you to \u201clog in to verify\u201d your account<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Protect Yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Never click login links from messages or DMs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>7. Fake Tech Support Calls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers may pretend to be from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Microsoft<\/li><li>Google<\/li><li>DocuSign<\/li><li>Zillow<\/li><li>Your email provider<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They often claim your account has been compromised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>They May Ask For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Remote access to your computer<\/li><li>Software installation<\/li><li>Passwords or verification codes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Legitimate companies do not request this unexpectedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>8. Rental Listing Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers steal listing photos and repost properties for rent, collecting deposits from unsuspecting tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, consumers sometimes believe the legitimate listing agent is involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>9. Open House Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some criminals use open houses to scout homes or distract agents while accomplices steal valuables such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Jewelry<\/li><li>Medications<\/li><li>Purses<\/li><li>Firearms<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3>Open House Safety Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Lock personal belongings away<\/li><li>Keep groups together when possible<\/li><li>Watch for people separating from tours<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>10. AI Voice &amp; Deepfake Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Artificial intelligence is making scams even more convincing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers can now imitate voices and create realistic fake video calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always verify unusual requests involving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Money<\/li><li>Wiring instructions<\/li><li>Passwords<\/li><li>Gift cards<\/li><li>Urgent account access<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A quick phone call to a known number can prevent major damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1>General Safety Reminders for Agents<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Use two-factor authentication on all business accounts<br>\u2705 Verify identities before sharing sensitive information<br>\u2705 Be cautious with links, attachments, and QR codes<br>\u2705 Double-check email addresses carefully<br>\u2705 Slow down when something feels rushed or unusual<br>\u2705 Trust your instincts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers continue to evolve, and real estate professionals remain a high-value target because of the information and transactions we manage daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you ever receive suspicious communication or encounter something that feels off, stop and contact Nick or me! It\u2019s always better to ask questions than risk compromising your accounts, devices, or clients.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In light of the recent Zoom\/Google Meet scam alerts, I also wanted to share several other common scams currently targeting real estate agents and brokerages. 1. Fake Buyer &amp; Fake Seller Scams Scammers pose as eager buyers or absentee property owners wanting to move quickly \u2014 often with cash offers and little negotiation. They frequently<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/training\/tech-tip\/common-scams-targeting-agents\/\" class=\"more\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":861,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[43],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=860"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":863,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860\/revisions\/863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=860"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crownrealty.network\/agent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}