Review your case
Based on our experience, we are performing preliminary checks to assess whether your case can result in a substantial retrieval of losses.
Gather the evidence
We then gather every piece of evidence you have from your contact with the scammers along the way.
Investigation Report
We investigate your case and the people who scammed you to provide a detailed Investigation Report.
Action Plan
With our investigation Report, you’ll receive a step-by-step action plan explaining how we believe you can retrieve your losses.
Expert Assistance
Our team of experts can guide you in the execution of the recommended action plan.
Review your case
Based on our experience, we are performing preliminary checks to assess whether your case can result in a substantial retrieval of losses.
Property scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting both buyers and renters with deceptive tactics that can lead to significant financial losses. Our Investigation services can help you uncover the truth and take action to reclaim what's rightfully yours.
We'll thoroughly investigate your case and analyze all the available evidence related to the fraudulent activities. Our experienced investigators will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of your case and with our expert assistance and your determination, you can take the necessary steps to reclaim what's rightfully yours.
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Retrieving your losses can be a lengthy process, and it all starts with our investigation. Therefore, we must have your trust every step of the way. If for any reason you are not fully satisfied, you can ask for a full refund within 14 business days.
*read Terms & ConditionsAt Payback, we understand the devastating impact of property scams. Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to empowering you with the knowledge and tools you need to take control of your situation and pursue justice. We'll work tirelessly to investigate your case, uncover the truth, and provide you with a clear path toward retrieval. We also offer informative resources to help you understand and avoid property scams in the future.
Property scams vary greatly in how they are executed, but they all aim to steal money from unsuspecting individuals who are interested in renting, buying, or leasing a property. In these types of scams, the fraudsters often pose as property owners, landlords, real estate agencies, property management companies, or other property-adjacent businesses to trick their victims into handing over money or sensitive financial and personal information that they can use to steal from them.
In escrow wire fraud scams, the fraudsters typically gain access to an email account associated with a real estate sale that’s currently in progress. They usually do this through some sort of phishing attack targeted at a real estate agent, a lender, a title agent, or a buyer. They then contact the buyer at the appropriate point in the sale process and pose as someone from the title or escrow company, asking the buyer to wire funds to a bank account. They then disappear with the wired funds.
Loan flipping scams involve ill-intentioned lenders convincing homeowners to repeatedly refinance their mortgage, borrowing more money each time. This results in the property owners eventually ending up with more loans than they can realistically afford to pay off, and the malicious lender earns more and more in fees and interest.
In foreclosure relief scams, the scammers target people who have homes in foreclosure by advertising foreclosure relief services or acquiring lists of properties in foreclosure. They promise to help the victims keep their homes for a fee, but never actually provide the foreclosure relief they promised.
Moving companies have also been known to commit fraud in a number of ways. For example, they may demand cash upfront and then never provide moving services or they might not give you a written estimate and then charge you much more than you agreed on for a move. Or, they might get you to sign a blank contract for the moving services and charge you an exorbitant sum after moving. Moving scammers have even been known to hold belongings hostage until you’ve paid them whatever they want.
Buying or renting a commercial property comes along with the risks of different types of commercial real estate scams. Scammers may pose as property owners and demand money upfront to see a property, then never appear to actually meet you in person. Or, they might show you a property that’s different from the one you saw online. Other commercial real estate scammers forge documents in order to obtain sensitive data from you that they can use to steal funds or your identity.
Real estate scammers sometimes work with home inspectors to commit fraud. Fraudulent home inspectors will tell you everything is alright with a property in exchange for a fee from a scam real estate agency, so you end up paying way more than something is worth and are stuck with expensive repairs down the road. Alternatively, scammers might just pose as home inspectors and charge you for inspections, when they really have no idea what they are doing.
In title and deed scams, the scammers attempt to illegitimately transfer the ownership of a property to someone else, without the real property owners knowing about it. They can do this by altering real deeds and titles with different names. They may then use the altered titles and deeds to sell the property to an unsuspecting buyer or to borrow money against your property.
Scammers often place fake property listings on rental sites, or copy existing listings from them, and use these to trick interested renters into giving them money as a deposit for a showing. Of course, they never show up to the property to give you a tour — if the property even exists at all.
Fake letting agents and landlords show potential renters around spoof properties, then ask them for a deposit or a month’s rent upfront. They then disappear with all the money before the victims realize that the individuals weren’t who they say they were and weren’t authorized to rent the property or receive payments for it.
Scammers sometimes use the excuse that they are “overseas” as a reason to ask interested renters for holding deposits in order to not rent a property to someone else before the interested party views it. The properties usually don’t exist or the listings are clones of real listings that are instead operated by fraudsters.
In property phishing scams, the fraudsters send out bulk emails pretending to be someone from a rental or letting agency. They ask the receivers to pay rent or other fees for their rentals through a fake online portal or by providing credit card details due to some type of fake issue that they invent.
Though less common than online property rental listing scams, some printed listings you see in newspapers or flyers may also be fake. Scammers use these to lure in unsuspecting victims and try to get upfront payments from them to see or hold a property.
Fraudsters also use Facebook to place fake listings for properties for sale or rent. The scammers pose as landlords, real estate agents, or property owners and invent various reasons why they need upfront payments to show you a property.
Craigslist is another online property listing site where scams occur. The scammers use the same tactics as elsewhere, posting fake rental or for-sale listings and tricking victims into sending them deposits, holding fees, or other upfront payments.
In more complex property site scams, the con artists will even go to the lengths of setting up a whole fake website for property listings. They may even clone the websites of legitimate listing companies, real estate agencies, property management companies, or rental agencies.
If you've fallen victim to a property scam, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. But don't worry because we can give you the tools you need to pursue your funds. Our Property Scam Investigation services can help you expose the scam by thoroughly investigating your case and analyzing documents, communications records, and other evidence to reveal the fraudulent activities. The Investigation Report and Action Plan we provide, are the tools you need to retrieve your losses.
A: Properties that don’t match listings, landlords that won’t meet you in person, and individuals or companies who demand up-front payments are all red flags of different types of property rental scams.
A: Know what the market values of properties in your area are and don’t believe any deals that sound too good to be true. Have a lawyer, real estate agent, or other reputable expert examine any sale contracts for inconsistencies and errors before signing anything.
A: Besides rental and sale scams, there are also foreclosure relief scams, home inspection scams, moving scams, loan flipping scams, title and deed scams, commercial real estate scams, and phishing property scams to be aware of.
A: Yes, it is possible. At Payback, our team of expert investigators understands the complexities of these scams and can get to the bottom of your case. We'll utilize our expertise to ensure the Investigation Report and Action Plan we create for you are just the right tools you can use to retrieve your losses.
Ready to recover your funds? Reach out for a free consultation at any time. Our experts are available to assist you promptly.
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