Sep 30

That Empty Lot Could Be a Scam: What to Watch for in 2026

That beautiful vacant lot you just found might be a great investment—or it might be a great setup for a scam.

In 2026, fraudsters are getting increasingly creative when it comes to real estate. One growing scheme involves pretending to be the owner of vacant land, hiring a real estate professional to list it and then trying to walk away with the sale proceeds. For buyers, the scary part is that the listing can look completely legitimate.

Vacant land is particularly attractive to scammers because there may be no house, tenant or neighbor who knows the real owner. Fraudsters can search public records, gather information about an owner and create a convincing fake identity.

How Does the Scam Work?

Imagine this: Someone contacts an agent claiming to own a piece of land. They’re motivated to sell quickly, they’re willing to accept cash and they don’t want to meet in person. Maybe they’re supposedly living out of state.

Everything sounds plausible—until it isn’t.

The scammer may provide forged documents or identification and push for a remote closing. They may even insist on using a particular notary. With today’s AI tools, fake identities, spoofed communications and convincing impersonation attempts can be harder to spot.

According to the American Land Title Association, about 59% of title insurance firms reported encountering at least one attempted seller-impersonation fraud in 2025, with vacant land among the most frequently targeted property types.

Watch for the Red Flags

A supposed seller deserves extra scrutiny if they:

  • Want a quick, cash-only sale.
  • Offer the property below market value.
  • Avoid meeting face-to-face or by video.
  • Seem unfamiliar with the property.
  • Provide inconsistent identification or ownership information.
  • Insist on choosing the closing professional or notary.

Slow Down Before You Sign

The best defense is verification. Real estate professionals should independently confirm ownership and identity and work with a trusted title or closing company. Buyers should remember that a legitimate-looking listing doesn’t necessarily mean the person offering the property actually owns it.

In 2026, a little extra verification can go a long way. When a land deal seems unusually easy, unusually cheap or unusually rushed, slow down and make sure the seller is really who they claim to be.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“Scammers Are Plotting to Sell Vacant Land Fraudulently’”
National Association of REALTORS®

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