While this article is geared towards real estate agents, we feel it is helpful for others to be aware of. With the ever-increasing importance of the internet in our day-to-day lives, scams such as the one described below, and other email scams/solicitations, are becoming more and more common. The need to be cautious and confirm the legitimacy of any solicitation is more important than ever.

In this past year alone, HoganWillig has encountered half a dozen fraudulent internet schemes stemming from residential real estate transactions. (more…)

Tags: preventing fraud

I attended a meeting this morning where it was announced that there had been a significant rise in title insurance claims in New York State.  These claims are made against title insurance policies issued to either the homeowner (if he/she purchased this optional policy at the time they bought their home) or the bank lending the money for their purchase or refinance (such a policy is always required by the bank). (more…)

Tags: identity theft, insurance fraud, title insurance claims, title insurance fraud

I read with interest a September 26, 2008, article in The Buffalo News,  about an 88 year old area widow who had been bilked out of close to $80,000.00 for home improvements that were never done and were done in a shoddy fashion.  My first thought was (more…)

Tags: elder fraud, preventing fraud