Real Estate Fraud Surges 59% in the U.S., Prompting Preventive Alert from Attorney María Marta Calderón

Real estate fraud is escalating at an alarming rate across the United States, with a 59% increase in seller impersonation attempts reported by title professionals in 2025 compared to 2024, according to a 2026 study by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). In response to this unprecedented surge, prominent estate protection and real estate attorney María Marta Calderón, Esquire, has issued a public preventive alert and will soon host a series of educational webinars and conferences to equip the community with legal tools against identity theft and wire fraud.

The schemes detected include criminals posing as true property owners to fraudulently sell, transfer, or mortgage properties, as well as tactics to divert deposits and closing funds. According to ALTA, 59% of surveyed title professionals reported at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt during the previous year, up from 28% in the 2024 survey. Properties at the highest risk include vacant land and unoccupied properties; properties whose owners reside outside of Florida or the United States; investment, rental, or vacation properties; fully paid-off properties; and properties belonging to recently deceased individuals.

Criminals may utilize information obtained from public records, forged IDs, fraudulent documents, and other sophisticated methods to appear as the legitimate owner. Fake websites spoofing legitimate title companies have even been detected in order to divert real estate transaction funds. These tactics make it increasingly difficult for buyers, sellers, and title companies to verify authenticity, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance.

Attorney Calderón emphasized the importance of taking immediate action: “I wanted to share an important alert regarding the rise in real estate-related fraud. Among the schemes detected are criminals posing as true property owners to fraudulently sell, transfer, or attempt to mortgage properties, as well as schemes designed to divert deposits and closing funds.” She further noted that proactive measures can reduce risks and help owners detect suspicious activity related to their assets more quickly.

For property owners, especially those holding properties in the high-risk categories, understanding exposure is critical. Attorney Calderón’s practice, which can be explored at www.calderon-lawfirm.com, offers guidance to evaluate specific situations and analyze available measures to protect real estate. Additionally, resources for the Hispanic community are available through www.hispanictarget.com.

The implications of this fraud surge extend beyond individual losses; they threaten the integrity of the real estate market and the financial security of families and investors. With criminals becoming more sophisticated, the need for legal shielding tools and education is paramount. Attorney Calderón’s upcoming webinars and conferences aim to empower the community with knowledge to combat these threats. As real estate remains a cornerstone of wealth in the U.S., protecting property rights is essential to maintaining economic stability and trust in the market.