Florida Real Estate Scams to Watch Out For — and How to Protect Yourself

Florida Real Estate Scams to Watch Out For — and How to Protect Yourself

By Attorney Christian Ross

Ross Law | Ross Title

Florida’s real estate market—especially in areas like Naples, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa—continues to attract investors, vacationers, and retirees alike. Unfortunately, that growth also draws scammers looking to exploit high-dollar transactions, remote buyers, and overburdened title processes. At Ross Law and Ross Title, we’ve seen firsthand how fraud can derail closings, devastate finances, and upend lives. Below are the most common real estate scams affecting Florida homeowners, buyers, and renters—and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

Rental Scams
Scammers may list South Florida condos or Gulf Coast vacation homes that don’t actually exist or aren’t available. They lure renters with images of luxury coastal properties and below-market prices, then demand deposit or advance rent via wire—all before seeing the unit. Once paid, they vanish.

Alternatively, some property managers find renters but never report the income to the Landlord. This scam targets the Landlord and is oftentimes even more devasting.

What you can do in Florida:

1. Always tour the property in person (or via live video) before sending money;

2. Confirm the owner or manager using county property appraiser records (e.g. Miami-Dade, Lee County);

3. Verify licensing and insurance before hiring a property manager;

4. Be skeptical of listings that say, “I’m out-of-state, just wire deposit”—this is classic bait-and-switch.

**Wire Fraud (Escrow/Title Company Impersonation)**
This scam is rampant throughout the country, including South Florida – none of us are safe. Fraudsters hack emails or spoof domain names to redirect deposit or closing funds to fake bank accounts. With booming market and overseas buyers, these scams are on the rise.

From CertifID.com and according to the FBI, business email compromise (BEC) remains the second most profitable scam in cybercrime—bringing in $2.77 billion in reported losses last year alone. And that’s just the cases that made it to the IC3.

Protection tips:

• Call your title or escrow officer at a verified business number—not the one sent via email—to confirm wiring instructions.

• Never copy/paste wire details from email or text. Double-check everything.

Work with companies that prioritize strong cybercrime controls. Our office utilizes sophisticated technological tools while also partnering with CertifID.com for added security – something most of our competitors still refuse to invest in.

**Bait‑and‑Switch Sales Tactics**
Especially in Tampa or Orlando markets, scammers advertise homes below market value to attract buyers. At the last minute, they claim unforeseen issues or “deal falls through,” then pressure you into signing a contract at a higher price.

We also see this with wholesale buyers. These buyers will agree to a market price, only to threaten to terminate prior to closing when they know the Seller is expecting to close.

Florida safeguard:

1. Work with a reputable, licensed real estate agent who can verify the seller’s identity and track record;

2. Hire an attorney to review the contract(s) before signing;

3. Avoid buyers or sellers who never visit the property or insist on skipping inspections and contract contingencies—they’re often hiding something.

**Predatory Lending & Loan‑Flipping Scams**
Scammers prey on Florida homeowners—with high fixed-income populations or retirees—by encouraging repeated refinancing, layering hidden fees and increased loan costs.

What to watch for:

• Be cautious of lenders who push continual refinancing without clear benefits.

• Seek advice from trusted mortgage professionals or your REALTOR®.

• Safeguard elderly family members by requiring a trusted advisor or family member present when refinancing.

**Deed & Title Fraud (Including AI‑Assisted Forgery)**
In Florida, identity thieves may forge deeds or transfer quitclaim deeds on vacation homes—or even targeted households—without the owner’s knowledge. With more high-value and absentee-owned homes, this risk is increasing, especially with forgery using AI-generated documents.

How to defend yourself:

1. Purchase owner’s title insurance when closing;

2. Enroll in Fraud Alert programs (Collier or Lee County) and monitor the title records for your property via your county clerk’s online portal;

3. Visit the property and/or stay close with the neighbors to ensure that there isn’t an increase in activity at the property without your knowledge;

4. Claim the property on Zillow and/or Redfin to be alerted of any new listings.

Florida-Specific Action Plan

Legal Insight from Ross Law | Ross Title Practice

Wire fraud and title fraud are major threats in Florida due to large sums involved, especially in coastal and vacation markets.

I recommend title insurance and trusting only licensed, local professionals.

“Meet your agent, tour the property, and verify wiring instructions personally—these are the simplest and most effective defenses.” – Christian Ross, Esq.

By using diligence—like verifying ownership, avoiding blind money transfers, and securing title protections—you can confidently navigate Florida’s dynamic real estate landscape without falling prey to scams.

As always, please contact our office with any questions. We have been honored to serve South Florida for over 20 years, and we are only just getting started.

Ross Law | Ross Title

20 Time Naples Best Award Winner, Including 2024 Best Attorney, 2024 Best Law Firm, and 2024 Best Title Company