Real estate fraud in the United States has reached alarming levels, with a 59% increase in seller impersonation attempts reported by title professionals, 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 announced an exclusive series of educational webinars and conferences aimed at equipping the community with legal tools to combat identity theft and wire fraud.
The ALTA study reveals that 59% of surveyed title professionals reported at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt in the previous year, up from 28% in 2024. This sharp rise underscores the growing sophistication of scams targeting property owners and investors. "I wanted to share an important alert regarding the rise in real estate-related fraud," said Calderón. "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."
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.
Calderón emphasized that proactive measures can significantly reduce these 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 will provide property owners with critical information on legal shielding tools against identity theft and wire fraud, helping them detect suspicious activity related to their assets more quickly.
This news matters because real estate fraud not only threatens individual property owners but also undermines the integrity of the U.S. real estate market. With fraudsters becoming increasingly sophisticated, the need for education and preventive legal measures is paramount. Calderón's initiative aims to empower the community, particularly international investors and families, to safeguard their assets. As the founder of her own practice after a distinguished tenure at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Calderón has a track record in structuring cross-border investments and mitigating legal risks. Her educational service is a valuable resource for those seeking to protect their capital against tax, probate, and legal security contingencies.
For more information, visit www.calderon-lawfirm.com and www.hispanictarget.com. The announcement was distributed via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
