BENTON COUNTY, Wash.-Real estate fraud involving seller impersonation is on the rise across Benton County.
Criminals are posing as legitimate property owners and then selling vacant or, in some cases, occupied homes that they do not own, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The fraud works when scammers obtain the social security and driver’s license numbers of the real property owners, then use email and texts to communicate with potential buyers, according to the American Land Title Association.
It can take the real property owners months and in some cases, years to realize the fraud, according to the ALTA, during which time their property may have been sold out from under them.
There are some seller impersonation fraud warning signs to be on the lookout for regarding properties and sellers, according to ALTA, including:
If a property is vacant or not occupied by the ownerIf a property has a different address than the owner’s or seller’sIf the property is being sold below market valueIf a seller wants a quick sale, usually in less than three weeksThe seller wants a cash buyerThe seller refuses to attend the signing and claims to be out of townThe seller only wants to communicate through text or emailThe seller demands funds be wired electronicallyThe seller wants to use their own notaryThe seller refuses or is unable to complete identity verification
More information on preventing seller impersonation fraud are available through ALTA. Anyone who suspects they may have been the victim of seller impersonation fraud you should file a fraud report with local law enforcement.
