Real Estate Scams Every Seller Should Know About

The real estate market is busy, fast-moving, and full of opportunity—but unfortunately, that also makes it a target for scammers. Over the past few years, fraudulent activity involving real estate listings has increased nationwide, and Hawai‘i is no exception.

As a full-time Big Island Realtor for more than 23 years, I’ve seen firsthand how creative (and convincing) some of these scams have become. Whether you’re selling a home, an off-grid cabin, or a vacant parcel, understanding the most common schemes can help protect you—and your investment.

Below are the top scams I’m seeing right now, along with tips to safeguard yourself throughout the listing and escrow process.

1. Fake or Hijacked Listings

This is one of the fastest-growing scams. A fraudster posts your property for sale—without your permission. They may pull photos from an old MLS listing, copy details from public records, or even fabricate a listing agreement.

Common red flags:

• You see your property advertised online without your Realtor
• The price looks too good to be true
• The “seller” will only communicate by email or text
• They avoid video calls and cannot verify identity

Why it happens:
Vacant land is especially vulnerable because it’s easier for scammers to impersonate out-of-state or absentee owners.

How to protect yourself:

• Work with a licensed Hawai‘i Realtor who monitors your listing online
• Sign a written listing agreement so only your agent can market your property
• Immediately report any unauthorized listing you see
• Set up free title alerts through Hawai‘i County to be notified of suspicious activity

2. Wire Fraud Targeting Sellers

Wire fraud doesn’t just target buyers—sellers are increasingly being targeted too. Scammers may impersonate the title company, your Realtor, or even you.

What they try to do:

• Email new “updated” wiring instructions
• Request money for fake fees or “urgent” costs
• Send links to fake escrow portals

Protect yourself:

• Never rely on emailed wire instructions alone
• Call your escrow officer at a known, verified number
• Confirm all wiring details verbally before moving any funds
• Use secure communication when sending documents

A five-minute phone call can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

3. Fraudulent Land Sales (Growing Problem in Hawai‘i)

Hawai‘i has become a prime target for fraudulent land sales—especially in rural subdivisions where many owners live out of state. Scammers pretend to be the owner, sign forged documents, and attempt to sell the parcel quickly for cash.

Why Hawai‘i is targeted:

• High number of absentee owners
• Many parcels have clear title (no mortgage)
• Remote locations make verification harder

What sellers should know:
When you list land with a licensed Realtor, we verify ownership, signatures, and identification. No one can “sell your land out from under you” when your property is actively and properly listed with a brokerage.

2. Impersonation of Agents or Owners

Scammers now use fake email addresses, spoofed phone numbers, and even AI-generated IDs to impersonate licensed agents or actual property owners.

They may:

• Create a fake Gmail that looks similar to your Realtor’s email
• Forge signatures on listing agreements or deeds
• Send fraudulent instructions to escrow
• Pose as you to initiate a sale

Protection tips:

• Always confirm you are communicating with your actual agent
• Check email spelling carefully
• When in doubt, pick up the phone
• Escrow companies now verify IDs and signatures—this is for everyone’s protection

5. Rental Scams on Active Listings

Even legitimate for-sale listings are often copied and reposted on Craigslist or Facebook as a “rental.” Scammers collect deposits and disappear.

Why sellers should care:
It can bring unwanted people to your property, cause confusion, and reflect poorly on your real listing.

How to handle it:

• Let your agent know immediately if you see your property advertised as a rental
• Realtors will report and remove fraudulent posts
• Keep your neighbors aware so they can alert you if strangers are trying to view the home

How I Protect My Clients

When I take a listing—whether it’s a home, off-grid setup, condo, or acreage in Puna’s ag subdivisions—I take several steps to help protect you:

✔ Monitoring for duplicate or fraudulent listings
✔ Verifying ownership and ID through trusted systems
✔ Communicating only through secure channels
✔ Educating buyers and sellers on best practices
✔ Working closely with escrow to prevent wire fraud
✔ Staying current on Hawai‘i-specific scam trends

Your safety and financial security are part of my fiduciary duty.

Final Thoughts

Real estate scams are becoming more sophisticated, but with awareness and professional guidance, they are also avoidable. If you have questions about a suspicious email, a strange inquiry, or something you see online involving your property, reach out to me anytime.

I’m here to help you stay informed, protected, and confident throughout the entire selling process