Real estate fraud is escalating at an alarming rate across the United States, with a 59% surge in seller impersonation attempts reported by title professionals, according to a 2026 study by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). The data, up from 28% in 2024, has prompted prominent estate protection and real estate attorney María Marta Calderón, Esquire, to issue a public preventive alert and announce a series of educational webinars and conferences aimed at equipping the community with legal tools against identity theft and wire fraud.
Calderón, who leads her own practice after a tenure at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “I wanted to share an important alert regarding the rise in real estate-related fraud,” she said. “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.”
The fraudsters employ sophisticated methods, including information from public records, forged IDs, and fake websites spoofing legitimate title companies to divert transaction funds. According to Calderón, certain properties are at higher risk: vacant land and unoccupied properties; properties owned by individuals residing outside Florida or the U.S.; investment, rental, or vacation properties; fully paid-off properties; and properties belonging to recently deceased individuals.
These scams not only threaten individual owners but also undermine confidence in the real estate market, which is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy. Calderón stressed that proactive measures can reduce risks. “If you own properties falling into any of these categories, or if you are concerned about this type of fraud and wish to better understand your level of exposure, we are available to guide you, evaluate your specific situation, and analyze the available measures to help protect your real estate,” she stated.
The upcoming webinars and conferences, details of which will be shared through NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE, are designed to educate property owners, investors, and the community on legal shielding tools. Calderón’s practice, which can be found at www.calderon-lawfirm.com, focuses on structuring cross-border investments and mitigating legal risks for families, investors, and international corporations.
With real estate fraud on the rise, Calderón’s alert serves as a critical reminder for property owners to remain vigilant and seek legal guidance to protect their assets. The educational initiatives aim to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to detect and prevent fraud before it occurs.
