A homeowner in Minnesota discovered something terrifying: their property was listed for sale online, even though they never put it on the market. After sharing the warning publicly, others responded with similar stories, including one person who learned a family home was suddenly “for sale” right after the owners passed away. In many cases, the real owner has no idea anything is happening until a neighbor calls, a suspicious listing appears, or someone attempts to take out a loan using the property.
Experts say these scams often begin when a suspect contacts a real estate agent pretending to be the seller, but avoids phone calls, pushes for a fast deal, and insists on unusual steps like using their own notary. Vacant properties, cabins, and vacation homes are frequent targets because they’re easier to impersonate and harder for owners to monitor. If the fraud isn’t caught early, a fake title transfer or quitclaim deed filing can create a legal mess that takes serious time and money to undo, leaving homeowners fighting to prove what was already theirs.
This story was first posted on WDIO ABC
