New consumer-protection resource explains common land fraud schemes and practical safeguards for land buyers and landowners
BEAR, Del., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OffersTree, a nationwide vacant land marketplace operated by GT Xchange LLC, has published a consumer-protection guide to help U.S. landowners and buyers recognize common scams involving vacant land transactions. The guide examines seller impersonation, title fraud, wire fraud, fraudulent payment requests, and other schemes, while explaining practical measures that buyers and sellers can take to protect themselves.
The resource draws attention to findings from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2025 Deed and Title Fraud Survey and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It also outlines the layered verification procedures and third-party closing arrangements used by OffersTree to support more informed land transactions.
Vacant Land Fraud Creates Risks for Buyers and Sellers
Vacant land can present distinct fraud risks because ownership information, parcel numbers, and recorded addresses may be accessible through public records. Criminals can use this information to impersonate landowners, attempt unauthorized listings, or manipulate communications between parties during a transaction.
According to NAR’s 2025 Deed and Title Fraud Survey, vacant land accounted for 62% of reported title fraud cases in the survey, compared with 12% involving owner-occupied homes. The figures highlight the importance of identity verification and title review when buying or selling undeveloped land.
The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report also recorded 12,368 real estate fraud complaints, with reported losses exceeding $275 million. These figures underscore the financial risks associated with fraudulent real estate transactions and the need for buyers and sellers to verify transaction details before transferring funds or signing closing documents.
“Trust is fundamental to buying and selling land, particularly when the parties may be located in different states and the property itself is not regularly visited,” said AnuSavi Tara, founder and CEO of OffersTree and Green Tara Investments, a land-investing company founded in 2021, and a member of the Realtors Land Institute (RLI). “Public records help people research land, but the same information can also be misused by someone attempting to impersonate an owner. Buyers and sellers should verify identities, investigate the property, and use appropriate third-party closing professionals rather than relying on a listing or a message alone.”
Common Scams Affecting Vacant Land Transactions
The OffersTree guide explains several land fraud patterns that landowners, buyers, and real estate professionals should understand.
Seller impersonation and title fraud: A criminal uses publicly available property information and false identification to pose as a landowner and attempt to sell land without authorization.
Wire fraud and payment redirection: Fraudsters impersonate a transaction participant or compromise email communications to send fraudulent bank instructions, often shortly before closing.
Direct-payment and no-escrow schemes: A party pressures the other to bypass appropriate closing procedures, deliver a signed deed before payment, or accept a payment method that may be fraudulent.
Overpayment and refund fraud: A supposed buyer claims to have paid too much and requests a refund before the original payment has been fully verified.
Forged documents and fraudulent notarization: False or altered deeds, identification documents, or notarizations are used to make an unauthorized transaction appear legitimate.
Digital impersonation and malicious communications: Fraudsters use convincing emails, fabricated documents, suspicious meeting links, or impersonated voices to obtain sensitive information or influence payment decisions.
The guide recommends verifying seller authority through appropriate ownership records, confirming payment instructions directly with the closing provider, reviewing transaction documents carefully, and avoiding pressure to bypass established safeguards.
A Layered Approach to Listing Verification and Closing
As a technology-enabled marketplace, OffersTree connects buyers, landowners, investors, and real estate professionals through a platform dedicated to vacant land. The company uses listing review and seller verification procedures intended to help identify inconsistencies and reduce impersonation risks before listings are published.
Depending on the listing and the seller’s role, verification procedures may include identity checks, ownership-related documentation, tax-bill cross-checks, and documentation establishing a person’s authority to represent an owner. Listings submitted by investors or other representatives may require additional documentation and authorization, depending on the applicable listing requirements.
These measures are intended to provide multiple opportunities to identify concerns. They do not eliminate all fraud risks or replace an independent examination of title.
“Fraud prevention requires more than one check,” Tara said. “Identity verification and supporting property documentation can help identify inconsistencies, while the independent title and escrow process provides another important layer of review. We encourage buyers and sellers to verify information, ask questions, and take the time needed to understand the transaction before moving forward.”
Transactions through OffersTree are completed through licensed third-party title and escrow providers. These professionals handle applicable title work, transaction funds, closing documentation, and recording requirements. OffersTree does not hold buyer or seller funds and does not act as a real estate brokerage, title company, escrow agent, or fiduciary.
Practical Steps for Buyers and Landowners
The company encourages buyers and sellers to take several precautions when evaluating a vacant land transaction:
- Verify the seller’s identity and authority to sell the parcel.
- Review relevant county ownership records and have title matters examined by the closing professional.
- Independently confirm wire instructions with the licensed title or escrow company using trusted contact information.
- Avoid sending refunds or transferring funds based solely on payment screenshots or unverified messages.
- Review zoning, access, utilities, easements, boundaries, taxes, and other relevant property details before purchasing.
- Report suspected impersonation or unauthorized listings to the relevant marketplace and local authorities.
If a person suspects wire fraud after sending money, contacting the financial institution immediately may improve the opportunity to stop or recall the transfer. Suspected internet crime can also be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
The vacant land scam awareness guide is available on the OffersTree blog. Landowners can also explore selling options through the company’s marketplace, while buyers can browse available vacant land and review listing information as a starting point for their own research.
About OffersTree
OffersTree is a minority women-owned real estate company and nationwide vacant land marketplace connecting buyers with landowners and real estate agents across the United States. As a technology-enabled marketplace, not a brokerage, OffersTree provides free listings, direct buyer negotiation, and coordinated closings through licensed third-party title and escrow partners. Headquartered in Bear, Delaware, OffersTree is a member of the New Castle Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.offerstree.com.
About the Founder
AnuSavi Tara is the founder and CEO of OffersTree and Green Tara Investments, a land-investing company founded in 2021 with over five years of land-investing experience. She is a member of the Realtors Land Institute (RLI) and holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Project Management from Stevens Institute of Technology, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification from Rutgers Business School and Lockheed Martin. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Media Contact
AnuSavi Tara
Founder and CEO, OffersTree
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SOURCE GT Xchange LLC dba Offerstree
