LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang is reminding people to beware of scams and common real estate fraud, which he said tend to increase during the holidays.
During this time, scammers have been known to prey on unsuspecting property owners by delivering unsolicited, official-looking mailers, Prang said.
“Property owners should closely examine any official-looking mailers,” he said. “They should be aware of deed scams and unsolicited mailings designed to look as if they’ve been issued by a government agency.”
During the holiday season, Prang said, people may receive unsolicited letters or mailers that appear to be from a government agency that’s asking for money for documents that are typically either cheap or free.
The assessor’s website, www.assessor.lacounty.gov, provides tips about these tactics and similar scams.
Prang said his office has compiled common examples of real estate fraud that include foreclosure rescue, mortgage elimination, equity skimming, equity fraud, fraudulent loan origination, land fraud, rental fraud and more.