MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Just when you thought you'd heard about every scam, another one pops up. This one's called the land scam, where crooks plot to sell land they don't own.
"What's happening is they are corresponding, usually via text or email, not a lot of phone conversations, and having us list a parcel of land when actually they are not the owner of the property," explained Yarrow Wilkins, President of the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors.
Wilkins says the land scam is happening all over Pennsylvania. Several cases have happened in the Poconos.
"Some have actually closed, and buyers have found out after the fact, which is super-scary, and we have also had some that didn't feel right, partially through that transaction," Wilkins added.
The National Association of Realtors says these scammers try to dupe potential buyers and real estate agents.
"Deeds are public records, so anyone can go in and search property information and prepare a new deed and record it. We don't know it's a scam because it just looks like a deed to us," said Kate Best, Monroe County Recorder of Deeds.
Best says the county has a new program people can sign up for to protect their property.
"If something comes across our office in your name, whether it's a deed or a mortgage, you will get a text saying, 'Hey, did you do this?'"
The service is free to sign up for. Those in the real estate industry say there are some things realtors and buyers can look out for.
"Sometimes, you'll just ask for forms of ID, and you'll get silence on the other end, so that's indicative of there may be a problem from a buyer's perspective. Use a realtor, a professional that can help you do the homework and do the research," Yarrow said.