Where do you start when it comes to house renovations? How are you going to get it done? What kind of help do you need and who’s going to provide that help? How can you make sure you avoid the scammers? Here are 8 tips: read more
Cowboy builders are everywhere in the trade but they can be tricky to spot. However, unlike the cowboys of your favourite Western, a cowboy builder seldom wears a Stetson and spurs. Here is how the building trade scams work: read more
A home warranty plan is a contract which 'pays for the repair or replacement of covered home systems and appliances, typically for a period of a year at a time.’ However, be aware of scammers getting into the game these days. read more
Beware of a new Realtor.com scam going around these days, which adds to the plethora of other real estate schemes that have been hitting the industry lately. The scam targets agents who are willing to buy online leads. read more
Real estate agents selling in the luxury market find it inevitable that they will have to ward off a fake buyer. There are impostors that fabricate richly woven tale of success and affluence hiding behind the internet in their fantasy world. read more
Residential real estate tips and home buying scams that you need to be aware of: from mortgage closing date fraud and arc fault breakers to real estate news and fake lawyers - all exposed here. read more
As you constantly make some home improvements, don't fall for the Home Renovations Scam, even if you are not even going through a complete makeover. Here is how the scam occurs: read more
There is a new scam targeting real estate professionals in the United States, Canada and Australia. If you are an agent or broker, you may receive an email or text message in regards to some "Racial remarks you made". It goes like this: read more
Solar panel installations and fake products. This month, one of the biggest scams around is the Solar Power System or Solar Panels for Your Home scam. The two variations are: 1. Free health check and upgrade; 2. Home improvement offer. read more
Be aware of a new fraudulent move happening these days, the Post Office Change of Address aka Free Change of Address scam. Watch the video here to see the scam exposed. read more
Thinking of investing in land? Beware of criminals. Read this article to see the How To Invest in Land scam exposed. Just as everyone wants to become a real estate guru by buying land for investment purposes, crooks are also in the game. read more
The housing crisis has left many looking for reasonably priced rental homes in decent neighborhoods. Watch the video below to see the Fake Property Owner scam exposed. read more
Do you currently own a property that you rent out to someone else? Watch out for the Renter Selling Your House scam, exposed with a video below. read more
(with video) Beware of the Property Tax Payment scam, aka Property Tax Help scam. Criminals call random numbers in your city and tell the homeowners they represent the local administration (County Treasurer’s Office, City Hall, etc). read more
Mortgage lead generation and fake services. This year, one of the biggest scams around is the Real Estate Leads or Mortgage Leads Generation scam. Read and watch video here. read more
The Deed Copy Letter scam seeks to take advantage of new homeowners at a time when they’re vulnerable. The scam begins in the form of a letter received by the victims. Watch video here. read more
Beware of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program scam, with video here. As you browse the web, you come across a link that offers you a spot on thе Housing Choice Voucher Program through Section 8. But with a twist. read more
Flopping a home is a form of mortgage fraud where sellers, trying to get the lowest sales price as possible, will deliberately damage their homes in order to prove to the bank that they can’t get full value out of the home. read more
One of the biggest scams out there this month is the Dual Flush Toilet Installation or Low Flow Toilets Rebate scam. Let's take a look (with video here).
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The US government’s $25 billion National Mortgage Settlement program alleviated the fear of foreclosure for many families, as it helped thousands of homeowners stay in their homes. But there is a scam. read more
Real estate agents are victims of a new scam which is spreading quickly all over the world. If you are a realtor or know any, read this article and forward it to others. read more
Many couples choose purchasing a foreclosed home “as is” in order to secure a lower purchase price. However, some are contaminated properties, aka Meth Houses. Watch video here. read more
(with video) This is a new one to the world of scamming but apparently the game stakes are rising as people are taking legitimate real estate professionals and using their names to place bogus rent ads online. read more
A scam making the rounds these days takes advantage of homeowners’ eagerness to close the sale and relocate. The scam involves a supposed interested buyer from afar who needs to relocate to the United States, Canada, Great Britain, or Australia. read more
Watch out for the Mortgage Loan Modification scam, coming from 'specialists' supposedly working for HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) or HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program). Let's take a look - video here. read more
You are looking for a roommate or a renter for your place. You post an ad online and write a blurb about what you're looking for. Watch the video here to see how the scam unfolds. read more
Watch the video in this article to see how the Short Sales Fraud takes place. Using a “neutral” middleman, investors make a low ball offer on a house where the debt on the property is larger than its total value. read more
You're in a situation where the bank is on the verge of foreclosing your home. Before doing anything else, watch the video here and avoid the How To Stop Foreclosure scam. read more
If you've heard about the term 'reverse mortgage' and consider doing it, beware of shady reverse mortgage lenders. Watch video and read this article to educate yourself. read more
Watch the video below to see the Fake Landlord Renting Property Scam, exposed. With many foreclosures in the last few years, there are tons of properties that are lying empty. read more
Loan Through Credit Card. You are looking to buy a home and come across an online promotion that guarantees a loan through your credit card. Giving it a cursory read, it seems to make some sense. But stop. Read article now. read more
Your loan has been moved to new company...or has it? Scammers use phony letterheads, sending letters to loan borrowers stating the bank handed over the responsibility for servicing their home loans to another company. read more
You have just bought a small house in Mexico as an investment property. You can’t be there every month, maybe not even every year, so it is necessary to hire somebody local to take care of it. But beware. read more
You are interested in buying a property or a land in a different country and start looking for places. Finding a great investment opportunity to build a house, let’s say, in Bulgaria, you even come across an established developer. Where is the scam? read more
Recently an email has been circulating to British homeowners allegedly from the Land Registry. This email contains a warning to property owners, indicating that they owe an outstanding debt to the government agency in order to be in compliance. read more
Paying property tax – what is known in Great Britain as Council Tax – is never a fun thing to do. But it’s made even more harrowing when scammers infiltrate the system and compromise taxpayers’ identities and bank accounts. read more
Purchasing a new home is one of the most exciting moments of your life. But there are always scammers who will try and take advantage of the copious amounts of paperwork that the task requires to scam you out of your hard-earned money. read more
The Record Retrieval Document scam seeks to take advantage of new homeowners at a time when they’re vulnerable. The scam begins in the form of a letter, advising the victims they only have days to send in money to obtain a copy of their deed. read more
(with video below) Can bankruptcy stop foreclosure? Deed in lieu of foreclosure? Scammers posing as foreclosure specialists get the trust of their victims by promising they will save their houses. read more
Watch out for the Forensic Audit For Your Mortgage scam, happening these days. It happens when you are in a terrible financial position and it's a massive struggle for you to keep your home out of foreclosure. read more
What if your tenant rents out your house to someone else? Watch the video of this scam here. The victims could be both the owners and the tenants. read more
You've been renting a house for a few months now and have finally unpacked everything. One day, you come home and find new locks on the door. read more
Although it may sound like a good idea, be aware of the Rent-To-Own Homes scheme (aka Rent-to-Buy scam) that is going around the real estate industry. Watch the video in this article. read more
Watch out for the Reference for Landlord scam going around. After searching for a property to rent, you find one and are asked to sign a contract and put down a deposit. But wait, there is more. read more
In the United States, a Sheriff’s sale is the last step in a foreclosure process. It is an auction held to liquidate a property on which a mortgage borrower has defaulted. Read the article here to see how scammers came up with a new trick. read more
You are browsing through free real estate listing websites looking for a new home when a certain property catches your eye. As soon as you click on it to find out more information, a pop-up window opens and asks you to register. read more
This scam occurs when the realtor you talked to on the phone sets up a showing, only to call you on the way to the property to give you some news. Read the article to see how the scam works. read more
What if your property tax has been reassessed and is now lower, which can happen? Beware of the Property Tax Assessment scam, exposed with a video below. read more
On the hunt for the right properties to invest in? Don't try taking on the Miami real estate industry alone. Make your venture into real estate investing worth the effort by hiring the best realtor in Miami. Read on for seven tips to help you choose. read more
Selling your house can seem complicated and that’s where a real estate agent could come in. The commission paid to agents has been rising - however, with the right steps, you can sell your house yourself and save on costs. read more
Scam Detector recently partnered with Travel by Dart, an inspirational web-series where two friends blindfoldedly throw a dart at the world map and travel wherever it lands, with the purpose of helping the land or the people. Click HERE or on the image below to watch the trailer of the series!
1. Upgrade Existing Home Security System
3. Emergency Garage Door Repair Scam
5. Water Heater Repair Service Scam
