Before you send money or sign anything, take a minute to confirm who you're dealing with.
Spot a Scam?
STOP
Don't send money or share personal information if something doesn't feel right.
VERIFY
Independently verify the person, property and payment instructions.
PROTECT
Protect your money and information and report suspicious activity.
What are you dealing with?
Choose a situation below to get guidance and see related scams.
Home Buyer & Seller Scams
Renter & Homeowner Scams
Home Repair & Contractor Fraud
Financial & Solicitation Scams
Closing day is a prime target for scammers. Verify before you wire.
Scams that target people buying or selling a home or land.
Scammers hack into the email of a broker, title company, or attorney and send fake wiring instructions near closing, diverting your funds to accounts they control. Detailed guidance is coming soon.
Deceptive practices in wholesale real estate deals, where a buyer contracts to purchase a home and resells the contract. See our Wholesaling resource.
Arrangements that can carry hidden risks for buyers, including unclear ownership and forfeiture terms. See our Rent to Own/Owner Financing resource.
Make sure the person selling or renting the property actually owns the property.
Scams that target people renting a home or living in one they already own.
Fake listings, phantom rentals, and advance-fee demands for properties the "landlord" does not own or control. See our Rental Scam resource.
A fraudster poses as the owner of vacant or unoccupied land and tries to sell property they do not own. See our Vacant Scam resource.
Fraudulent transfers of property ownership that strip the rightful owner of their title.
Know the warning signs before you hire anyone to work on your home.
Scams that target homeowners in need of repairs or maintenance.
Scammers use false or misleading claims to convince you repairs are needed and may even damage your property to create the work. Watch for unlicensed contractors, pressure tactics, and demands for untraceable payment. Detailed guidance is coming soon.
Unexpected calls and too-good-to-be-true investments are often the first step in a scam.
Scams involving unwanted solicitations and financial or investment fraud.
Unwanted Solicitations & Do Not Call
Unwanted telemarketing and robocalls, often a gateway to fraud. You can register your number and file complaints through the Oklahoma Attorney General's Do Not Call resources and the National Do Not Call Registry (more information in the “Think You’ve Encountered a Scam Section” below.
Cryptocurrency Fraud
Investment schemes that pressure you to move money into cryptocurrency, often promising guaranteed or outsized returns.
How to Spot a Scam
Pressure to Act Immediately
Scammers create urgency so you don't have time to think or verify. Be wary of any demand to transfer funds or authorize work "right now."
Requests for transfers, gift cards, or crypto
Legitimate businesses rarely demand hard-to-trace payment. Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps, cash, or cryptocurrency are a red flag.
Information or IDs that don't match
Watch for altered, spoofed, or slightly misspelled email addresses, and business names, addresses, phone numbers, or license numbers that don't match what you were given earlier.
Someone avoids meeting in person or by video
Be cautious when someone insists on communicating only by email or text and avoids phone calls, video, or in-person meetings.
Last-minute changes to wiring instructions
Treat any sudden change to wiring instructions, payment details, or account information (especially near closing) as suspect until you verify it by phone using a trusted number.
Prices or returns that seem too good to be true
Rent far below market, guaranteed investment returns or a surprise cash offer are common lures. Compare similar listings and ask a licensed professional before you commit.
Think You've Encountered a Scam?
If you suspect you've been targeted or defrauded, act quickly. Here's where to go and what resources are available.
Step 1 - Act Now
Take these steps right away
1. Stop immediately
Don't proceed with the transaction or make any further payments, even if you're told the deal will fall through.
2. Contact your local law enforcement
File a report with your city police department or county sheriff. Find your county.
3. Call your bank
If transferred funds, contact your bank immediately and request a wire recall. Every hour counts.
4. Alert your real estate contacts
Tell your broker, licensee or title company about your suspicions. Use a phone number you already have, not one from a suspicious email.
5. Notify the Attorney General
Report it to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit.
Step 2 - Report It
Where to go for help
Get More Information!
Learn more about common scams and how to protect yourself.
