Real estate fraud is on the rise in the United States, with a 59% increase in seller impersonation attempts reported by title professionals, according to a 2026 study by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). The study found that 59% of surveyed title professionals reported at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt in the previous year, up from 28% in the 2024 survey. In response to this unprecedented surge, prominent estate protection and real estate attorney María Marta Calderón, Esquire, has issued a public preventive alert and announced she will soon host a series of educational webinars and conferences to equip the community with legal tools against identity theft and wire fraud.
Calderón, who leads her own practice after a tenure at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, emphasized the importance of immediate action. "I wanted to share an important alert regarding the rise in real estate-related fraud," she stated. Among the schemes detected are criminals posing as true property owners to fraudulently sell, transfer, or mortgage properties, as well as schemes to divert deposits and closing funds. Criminals may use information from public records, forged IDs, fraudulent documents, and fake websites spoofing legitimate title companies to appear as the legitimate owner and divert transaction funds.
Properties at the highest risk include vacant land and unoccupied properties; properties whose owners reside 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. Calderón noted that proactive measures can reduce these risks and help owners detect suspicious activity more quickly. "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," she said.
The announcement, distributed via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE, highlights a growing threat to property owners and investors. The impact is significant: real estate transactions involve substantial sums, and fraud can result in devastating financial losses and legal battles. The rise in sophisticated scams underscores the need for vigilance and education. Calderón's upcoming webinars and conferences aim to provide property owners with the knowledge to shield their assets. For more information about Calderón's practice, visit www.calderon-lawfirm.com. As fraudsters become more brazen, experts urge owners to take proactive steps to protect their investments. This story serves as a critical reminder that real estate fraud is not a distant threat but a present danger that requires immediate attention and action.
