May 01, 2026

Texas REALTORS® Legal Hotline attorneys continue to get a high volume of calls from members dealing with attempted seller impersonation fraud.

Many of these scams come from listings obtained from a phone call or an online source from a “seller” who only communicates by text or email and avoids any real-time interaction. Often, the property is unoccupied, vacant land, or the seller says the occupants are tenants not to be disturbed.

Other warning signs include when the seller:

• Only provides a passport or other ID with no property address.
• Has no title policy or survey.
• Wants a quick sale, will accept lower than market price, or prefers cash.
• Wants to use his own notary.
• Wants to use a title company that does not seem legitimate.
• Wants to handle the entire transaction remotely.
• Can’t attend the closing.
• Can’t meet in person or join a video call.
• Can’t answer questions a legitimate owner could.
• Requests last-minute changes to wiring instructions or closing logistics.

How to protect yourself and property owners

Find the owner’s mailing address on the appraisal district website and send a thank you note “for selling your home.” This often gets a response from the real owner if your contact was impersonating the seller.

Other helpful steps:

• Verify that the title company is legitimate.
• Contact the title company if something seems off.
• Create an intake form to gather personal information from sellers.
• If the seller says the property is tenant-occupied, ask for a copy of the lease.
• Request prior surveys, title policies, deeds, etc., from when the property was acquired.
• Verify ownership independently through multiple sources, such as appraisal district records, prior MLS listings, or brokerage files.
• Use reliable, independently sourced contact information to confirm seller’s identity.
• Document all communications and retain copies of IDs and correspondence in the transaction file.

For more information, search seller fraud on texasrealestate.com or call the Texas REALTORS® Legal Hotline at 512-480-8200.