Real estate fraud is exploding in Arizona, with victims losing an estimated $50 million in the past year as criminals shift their focus to an easier target: vacant land. Industry professionals say these scams are happening repeatedly, and they often hit property owners who live out of state and assume their land is safe because “nothing is happening” on it.
According to a national survey, vacant parcels now make up 62% of deed fraud cases, because they’re often paid off, rarely visited, and don’t have a mortgage lender watching for suspicious activity. The scam can move fast: a suspect impersonates the owner, transfers the deed, and sells the property to an unsuspecting buyer, leaving both sides stuck in a costly legal mess. Experts warn that unusually cheap deals, rushed timelines, and sellers who avoid face-to-face verification are major red flags.
This story was first posted on azfamily.com KPHO CBS 5
