Homeownership comes with a bunch of risks, including getting scammed.

When you purchase a home, scammers can look up your personal information. Your deed filing, mortgage lender, and property tax ownership records are readily available through online government resources. Using current tools, a data broker can scrape this information within a day. They will then sell their findings to cybercriminals who send fake emails and other spoofing scams.

One of the best defenses against scams is knowledge. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, after all. The following is a list of known deceptive practices to watch for.

1. Fake Mortgage Servicer Letters

According to the Texas Attorney General’s office, scammers will send official-looking e-mails and letters claiming that your mortgage has been transferred and that you must send payments to a new address.

“A legitimate transfer of service requires written notices from both the old and new servicers,” said John Golden, a South Texas home broker. “If in doubt, a homeowner should always call the number on their last legitimate mortgage statement, not the one in the letter.”

Tieback Article: Hello/Goodbye Letters

2. “Deed Processing” or “Property Profile” Bills
Homeowners may receive a letter stating they owe $89 to $150 for a copy of the deed or property records.

“In Texas, your deed is mailed free after recording,” says Texas Realtor. “Additional copies come directly from the county clerk, not third-party companies.

Tieback Article: “Don’t pay for your DD Form 214.”

3. Homestead Exemption Fee Scams
Scammers may also send official-looking letters demanding payment for homestead exemption applications, such as the one given for disabled veterans to lower their property taxes. In Texas, these applications are always free. Filing should be carried out through your appraisal district or the Comptroller’s official arm. You should never pay a private company to file.

4. Utility Company Imposters
Scammers may impersonate your local power company or water service and demand payment for unpaid utility bills. Fake customer representatives will attempt to bully victims into paying by alternative methods, such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or through platforms like Zelle.

Avoid being pressured into immediate action. According to Sheri Givenn of Utilities United Against Scams, companies are required to provide advanced notice that your services will be cut off.

If you find yourself dealing with a suspicious agent, hang up. Instead, contact the provider through the official customer service number.

5. Fake Home Warranty Expiration Notices
You may sometimes receive a letter claiming that your home warranty is about to expire or has expired and demanding payment.

You are not required to purchase a home warranty in Texas. However, if you are interested, you should reach out to a reputable company that offers quality service. Companies that try to trick you with deceptive practices do not deserve your money.

6. Solar Panel Door‑to‑Door Scams

Be wary of door-to-door sales representatives pushing solar panels.

According to A&R Solar, some are fraudsters who claim to represent your local utility provider. They may carry fake badges or threaten to shut off your power if you do not upgrade immediately.

Others might mention government initiatives that offer free panels.

While some states, such as Oregon and Washington, do offer such programs, they do not send representatives door-to-door.

Texas has seen a recent spike in high-pressure solar sales claims. As of September 1, 2025, all solar retailers in the state must register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. If you do decide to install solar panels, you should check the database to ensure the contractor is legitimate.

7. Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is one of the most prevalent cybercrimes in the United States and is especially common in the real estate industry. Fraudsters will impersonate a real estate agent or closing attorney and send the victim “updated instructions” at the last minute to redirect payment to their own accounts.

The National Association of Realtors offers the following advice:

Confirm all wiring instructions in person. If necessary, contact the proper party using a trusted number.
Never e-mail your financial information
If uploading financial documents online, check that the website is secure. Look for the “https” at the beginning of the website address. If the “s” is missing, the site is vulnerable.
Be cautious of opening attachments and downloading files from emails. These may contain viruses.
Keep your operating system, browser, and security software up to date. Hackers exploit both outdated defenses and human apathy to cybersecurity to sneak in malware.

8. Contractor Scams (Roofing, HVAC, Foundation)
When moving to a new home, homeowners may need to make renovations or repairs. Unfortunately, this makes them a fresh target.

Unlicensed and dishonest contractors may show up at your door offering discounted rates for your roof, driveway, or HVAC system. While these may seem like a good deal, many homeowners end up paying more than they bargained for. Some fraudsters demand a large upfront deposit, only to disappear afterwards. Others deliver subpar work or end up charging more than agreed upon.
Assure Inspections recommends doing your research before committing to a contractor. Are they licensed? What are the reviews? Furthermore, you should get all your estimates in writing.

Finally, you should never feel pressured into an immediate decision. A respectable contractor will give you time to weigh your options.

9. Partner Company / Lender “Verification” Requests
In addition to spoofing e-mails, scammers may attempt to coax personal information by impersonating a partner company that needs information to finalize a loan. This is a practice known as “phishing”.

Please note that your lender will never request new documents after closing on a home.

In Closing:

Fraudsters rely on human emotions and ignorance to pull off their scams. The best defense against their craft is knowledge. Here are some easy questions to start with:

1. What is the official mode of communication? When in doubt, look for the correct contact information on official documents.

2. What is the process for terminating service? Utility companies will send out advanced warnings before terminating services.

3. Am I being pressured? Scammers rely on panic to manipulate you into making mistakes. You should always feel free to contact a verified representative to confirm an issue.

By being aware that these scams exist, you can be more alert to suspicious activity, even from trustworthy sources.