The Knock That Shouldn’t Have Happened: One Homeowner’s Wake-Up Call About Real Estate Fraud

It started with a knock at the door.

A man stood outside holding a clipboard and a confused smile. “I’m here to do the appraisal,” he said. “The property is under contract.”

Elaine, a retired teacher in Raleigh, looked at him blankly. “My home isn’t for sale,” she replied.

This isn’t just about financial loss. It’s about trust, privacy, and the security of your home.

But the man insisted. According to the MLS listing he was referencing, it was for sale. And what’s worse, it already had an accepted offer.

That’s how Elaine discovered she was the target of seller impersonation fraud—a scheme where scammers pose as homeowners, forge documents, and attempt to sell properties they don’t own. It’s one of the fastest-growing threats in today’s housing market, and homeowners like Elaine often have no idea it’s happening until it’s almost too late.

Fraud Like This Is No Longer Rare

Cases like Elaine’s are becoming alarmingly common. MLS listing fraud protection has become a critical need as criminals use forged IDs and fake notaries to slip fraudulent listings into legitimate real estate channels. According to national reports, over $400 million in real estate fraud losses were reported in 2022 alone—and the numbers continue to climb.

This isn’t just about financial loss. It’s about trust, privacy, and the security of your home.

So How Do You Catch a Fraudulent Listing Before It’s Too Late?

Most homeowners rely on their gut—or worse, they find out when someone else does. That’s where a real estate fraud monitoring service like Leeza.io comes in.

We believe every homeowner deserves to know when their property is being misused. Our system actively scans MLS databases and listing platforms, searching for unauthorized activity tied to your home. If your address shows up on a listing without your permission, you’ll be alerted immediately.

It’s a property listing alert system built for one purpose: peace of mind.

You Don’t Have to Be the Next Elaine

Elaine was lucky—she caught the fraud before it reached the closing table. But many others aren’t so fortunate. Scammers frequently target vacant homes, second homes, and even fully occupied properties that appear to be under the radar.

You don’t have to be selling to become a target. You just need to be a homeowner.

Protect what’s yours.

Stop unauthorized home sales before they start.

Visit Leeza.io to learn more and start protecting your property today.