Buyer Beware: Two Common Scams + How to Protect Yourself

Buying a home is exciting! Unfortunately, it can also make you a target for scams you may not expect. Shortly after closing, many homeowners receive official-looking mail that feels urgent or required… when it’s actually neither.

Here are two of the most common scams we see affecting buyers, along with how to spot them and what to do instead.

Scam #1: “Pay for Your Deed”

This scam often shows up as a letter that looks like it’s coming from the county. It will say you need to purchase an official copy of your deed now that you’ve bought a home, sometimes quoting a price of $70, $100, or even more.

Here’s the truth:

• You already paid for a copy of your deed when you closed on your home.
• These letters are not coming from the county.
• The company sending them simply requests the deed from the county and keeps the difference

If you ever need a copy of your deed, you can:

• Reach out to your REALTOR®
• Contact your title company
• Or request it directly from the county for a minimal fee (often around $3)

If a letter asks you to pay a high fee for something you already received at closing, that’s a red flag.

Scam #2: “Mortgage-Related” Life Insurance Offers
Another very common scam involves mail that looks like it’s coming directly from your lender, sometimes even using the lender’s name or letterhead!

These letters often:

• Suggest life insurance is required for your mortgage
• Use urgent or official language
• Appear very legitimate at first glance

In reality, these are insurance solicitations, not lender requirements.

While it may be a smart financial decision for some homeowners to carry life insurance, that decision is always yours. It is not required by your lender, and these offers are not affiliated with them.

If you look closely, the fine print usually states something like: “This is an insurance offer and is not affiliated with any lender.”

Why You’re Receiving These Letters
A quick reassurance: your REALTOR® and lender are not selling your information.

When you purchase a home, the deed transferring ownership is recorded with the county, and that record is public. Some companies monitor those filings and use them to send out official-looking mail designed to create confusion or urgency.

When in Doubt, Ask!
If you ever receive mail that feels confusing, urgent, or “official” and you’re not sure if it’s legitimate, take a photo and send it to your REALTOR®. We’re always happy to help you sort out what’s real and what isn’t. Sometimes a quick text can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

Buying a home comes with enough decisions, and avoiding scams shouldn’t have to be one of the hard ones.