02/18/2026
Be aware and stay alert! Thank you Buck Hutchens, Realtor/Broker at Smith & Company Real Estate for taking the time to share this with the community!
PSA: Several Real Estate Agents in the Woodward, OK area have been contacted by someone portraying to be landowners wanting to sell there land. The subject land is owned by individuals residing out of state. I’m not sure where the scam comes into play The real estate agents have all done their due diligence in verifying identity and ownership. If you rent/lease from someone out of state it maybe a good idea to notify them.
Key Warning Signs of Real Estate Listing Scams from the National Association of REALTORS®
Too Good to Be True: Prices are significantly lower than market value.
No In-Person Access: Sellers refuse to meet, often claiming they are out of state or country.
Pressure to Act Fast: Sellers rush the transaction, pushing for a quick closing.
Strange Communication: Exclusively electronic communication or use of remote, unknown notaries.
Incorrect Information: The "seller" lacks specific knowledge about the property.
Common Scam Scenarios
Vacant Land Fraud: Scammers identify vacant, unencumbered, or out-of-state owner properties and list them, collecting earnest money or full purchase amounts before vanishing.
Rental Reposting: Scammers take legitimate "for sale" listings, download photos, and post them as rentals to steal deposits.
Agent Targeting: Scammers pose as buyers and send malicious links (e.g., via Zoom) to agents
How to Protect Yourself
Verify Ownership: Check the county assessor’s office or official public records to confirm the seller’s identity.
Use Professionals: Engage a reputable, licensed real estate agent and title company.
Verify Wire Instructions: Call the title company using a known, trusted number—not the one in an email—to confirm payment details, as "phishing" for wiring instructions is common.
Do Not Click Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on links or downloading documents from unverified individuals.
If you suspect a scam, report it to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).