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Scammers are always looking for new ways to take advantage, and recently, fraud targeting property owners, online car sellers, and veterans has been on the rise. From fake property deed filings to counterfeit check schemes and fraudulent VA benefit offers, these scams can have serious financial consequences that you didn’t see coming.
Stay one step ahead by learning how to spot and avoid these common threats.
A property deed scam is a type of fraud where criminals attempt to steal or manipulate property ownership by forging or fraudulently transferring property deeds. Scammers may create fake documents to claim ownership of a property, often targeting vacant homes, rental properties, or homes without a mortgage. They can then try to sell the property, take out loans against it, or commit other forms of financial fraud.
To protect yourself, regularly check your property records, be cautious of unsolicited offers, and consider signing up for property fraud alerts through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority.
If you’re selling your car online, watch out for fake checks. Scammers pose as buyers that aren’t local and send you a check for more than you agreed to. Then the scammer asks you to return the difference. The check may look real and the funds may show in your account until the check is processed and found to be fake. After you send the “difference” back to the fake buyer, the check bounces, leaving you without your car and your money.
Always verify checks received from people you don’t know with your banker before taking any action, and be cautious of overpayment requests.
Veterans receiving VA benefits should be cautious of scammers who try to convince them to sign over a portion of their benefits. These fraudsters often pose as advisors offering fake assistance in exchange for a cut of your monthly payments.
They may promise a speedier application process or guarantee disability, but in reality, they’re stealing your hard-earned money. Never sign contracts or agreements without reading all documents and verifying the individual’s legitimacy through the VA.
To protect yourself, apply directly to the VA. If you need assistance applying for your VA benefits, VA accredited representatives help you apply for free.
Don’t Forget:
Any informed consumer is simply less vulnerable to fraud and abuse.” — Former Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States
Source of this month’s scam information:
https://consumer.georgia.gov/title-theft-and-unsolicited-real-estate-solicitations
https://consumer.georgia.gov/title-theft-and-unsolicited-real-estate-solicitation
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/02/sign-over-portion-your-va-benefits-nope-thats-scam
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