NEW SCAM ALERT! Members are reporting a new scam, primarily focusing on land properties.  The listed properties are by fraudulent sellers who try to sell properties that they do not own. These listings have typically been land listings with non-local owners. Please be thoughtful and use caution when signing a listing with an out-of-state seller.

1. For prospective sellers who are not physically located near you/the property, ask them to Zoom, Google Meet, Facetime with you for a first meeting.
2. Ask them to show their identification on the screen during the initial meeting. While scammers may also have fraudulent identification, they are likely to be unwilling to show their faces on a screen.
3. Use an app such as the FOREWARN app to research the potentially fraudulent seller.
   1. Conduct a reverse lookup of the telephone number in FOREWARN and if it comes back with anything other than the expected person – investigate further.
   2. Conduct a reverse name search in FOREWARN and call the number(s) provided to confirm the person’s identity and whether or not they did indeed contact you to list the property.
   3. In addition, you should verify information about the listing property and owner with the town/municipal tax records and the registry of deeds.
4.  your instincts and let us know about any suspicious and unsettling interactions.
5. Report any activity to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office by clicking the button below. 
   
   

Recently, VAR has had conversations with the Attorney General’s Office regarding these type of scams.  There are many out there, and the AG’s office does investigate them.