The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has issued a warning to real estate agents about an increase in scams involving vacant land. According to the DRE, criminals are posing as property owners and contacting agents to sell land they do not own.
The department explained that these scams often involve imposters using fake identification documents to list and attempt to sell vacant parcels. The true owners of these properties are often elderly, deceased, or live far from the property location.
DRE advises agents to be diligent in verifying the identity of property owners before accepting listings. “As a real estate agent, before accepting a listing, you should take steps to establish and verify the identity of a property owner,” the department stated.
Brokers are also encouraged by DRE to create written policies for situations where licensees and sellers have never met in person. Training affiliated licensees on these procedures is recommended.
The department urges anyone who suspects fraudulent activity related to real estate transactions to report it to local law enforcement agencies such as police departments, sheriff’s offices, or district attorneys. If a licensed real estate professional may be involved in fraud, additional reporting measures should be taken.
The DRE is responsible for enforcing state laws related to real estate practices and oversees licensing for approximately 434,000 professionals in California. The agency’s mission includes protecting public interests through regulation and education within the industry.
For more information about the department’s regulatory role and consumer protection efforts, visit its official website.
