WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — A new scam is making its way through Kansas City, prompting real estate agents to adjust their practices.
Scammers are posing as home sellers by stealing information from county deed records. They create fake IDs using the details of actual property owners and push for quick, all-cash closings. If the transaction goes through, victims may not realize they’ve been scammed for months.
In response, some agencies are now instructing brokers to work exclusively with trusted title companies. These companies use specialized computer programs designed to detect fraudulent activity.
“Not all agents have been affected by this yet, so some haven’t made changes,” said Overland Park realtor Shelby Briggs Austin. “We need to educate agents not just to use title companies they trust, but to ensure these companies are taking the right precautions to prevent scams.”
Property owners of vacant homes are also advised to stay in regular contact with their county office about any inquiries regarding their deeds. They should also monitor their tax information to ensure everything remains accurate and up-to-date to prevent unauthorized ownership changes.
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