Real Estate: Consumers Beware: Fraudulent Activities

  **Additional / Related Information  

   AARP is tackling other predatory practices related to homebuying and mortgage lending.

For example, AARP has backed the successful passage of laws in 32 states that ban restrictive homeowner benefit agreements. In these schemes, real estate brokers tempt homeowners with a small, upfront cash payment in exchange for exclusive rights to sell their home in the future, even after they have passed away. If the homeowner or their heirs use a different listing agent, they can face a steep penalty. 

  ElderJustice.gov... 

Is the official Web site of the U.S. Department of Justice, Elder Justice Iniative. Link:  Elder Justice

  Dept of Justice Releases 2025 Annual Report to Congress on Efforts to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-releases-2025-annual-report-congress-efforts-combat-elder-fraud-and-abuse

  FDIC: Unfair Deceptive or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP)

https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-compliance/unfair-deceptive-or-abusive-acts-or-practices

   What are the elements of Common Law Fraud?

https://www.robertdmitchell.com/article/common-law-fraud/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%2C%20common,by%20the%20person%20in%20the

  See Vivian J. Toliver v. Clear Recon Corp  2:24-cv-02139-KIM-SCR 

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/caedce/2:2024cv02139/450746/7/

   Civil Rights Division Secures $68 Million Dollar Settlement in Predatory Land Sales and Lending Lawsuit

  https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/civil-rights-division-secures-68m-settlement-predatory-land-sales-and-lending-lawsuit?fbclid=IwdGRjcAP5v-9jbGNrA_m_xGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHur2WsN0VVYdBgvDYOwmSdESopx6O7_FMEPi4cLe5nfYQtFbjqa_EC0z1J7H_aem_z42TgydOY0a7pmtpXyz2Hw

  Local Real Estate Agent Warns of Deed Theft

https://wnyt.com/top-stories/local-real-estate-expert-warns-of-deed-theft/

   FBI: House Stealing: The Latest Scam on the Block

https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2008/march/housestealing_032508?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPhvZVjbGNrA-G9fmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHo7TFl9CkyTi7Kyc05yvK6gBi7WG1Q20uQ7HcNRcdYJILVMm1HrgyWFNvdbN_aem_EbRYdwWb92lwv2PzXetzPg

  Real Estate Agent Was Scammed....In this case, the property owner was also scammed

https://www.businessinsider.com/vacant-land-scams-real-estate-agent-explains-2025-8

  Lis Pendens / Preliminary Injunction

www.obermayer.com/from-the-real-estate-law-journal-pennsylvania-appelate-court-stands-against-treating-lis-pendens-as-if-it-were-a-preliminary-injunction

  Real Estate Scams

https://www.fico.com/blogs/raising-elder-fraud-awareness-prevent-real-estate-scams

   Investors Own Majority of Homes in Some California Counties

https://www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/investors-majority-homes-some-calif-counties-20780941.php

   Property Taxes / Elder Fraud

https://6abc.com/amp/post/property-tax-sales-threaten-american-dream-local-homeowners/16845554/

   "We Buy Homes" Scams

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/consumer-alert-attorney-general-shapiro-warns-consumers-to-be-aware-of-we-buy-homes-scam/

   Department of Justice: Related Real Estate Fraud Case:  Two Men Sentenced for Real Estate and Tax Fraud Cases

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-men-sentenced-real-estate-and-tax-fraud

   Money Wise: HOA Fees

https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/houston-homeowners-say-they-were-blindsided-by-fees-in-the-thousands-from-an-hoa-they-didnt-even-know-existed-and-they-feel-theres-a-pattern-at-play

  Scammer Repeatedly Tries To Sell Woman's Home

https://dailyjournal.net/2025/06/27/greenwood-woman-issues-warning-after-scammer-repeatedly-tries-to-sell-her-home/

   Senators, Regulators Call For More Scrutiny of "We Buy Ugly Houses" Company

https://www.propublica.org/article/senators-call-for-scrutiny-of-homevestors

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