A Brunswick County property owner may not even realize their land is being “sold” until a REALTOR® sign suddenly appears on it.
It sounds unbelievable, but so-called “Title Pirates” are becoming one of the fastest-growing threats in real estate. Across North Carolina, scammers are impersonating property owners using public tax records, fake IDs, disposable email addresses, and online-only communication to attempt fraudulent sales of vacant land, inherited property, and second homes.
Fraudulent real estate sales are on the rise especially since Covid and rise in remote signings. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center warns that losses from real estate and rental scams are steadily increasing, reaching more than $396 million in 2022. Beware of ‘Title Pirates’ Wreaking Havoc on Closings. Title pirates can then profit by, among other things, securing a loan on the property, renting the property out, temporarily living in the property or attempting to sell the property to a potential buyer.
Coastal communities like Southport and Brunswick County can be especially vulnerable because so many properties are owned by retirees, investors, inherited family estates, and out-of-state owners who may not physically visit their property often.
As a local REALTOR® here in Brunswick County, I have personally encountered these scam attempts often, and they area only increasing.
The pattern is usually similar. An unknown “seller” contacts an agent wanting to immediately list property. They insist on communicating only by email or WhatsApp. They avoid phone conversations or in-person meetings. They push for a quick sale and often claim to be traveling, overseas, or unavailable. They may even provide what appears to be a valid driver’s license.
But something feels off.
In several situations, after recognizing the common warning signs, I independently tracked down the actual property owner — only to discover they had absolutely no idea someone was attempting to impersonate them online.
That is the part consumers need to understand:
Today’s real estate fraud is sophisticated.
Scammers are pulling ownership information directly from public county tax records. They study properties online. They target vacant land, inherited homes, and second homes because they know those owners may not be physically nearby. In a world where listings, contracts, signatures, and even closings can happen digitally, fraudsters are counting on busy professionals failing to slow down and verify identity.
In today’s real estate market, being a REALTOR® is about far more than opening doors and putting listings online. It’s about recognizing red flags, protecting buyers and sellers from costly mistakes, understanding the local landscape, and sometimes stopping fraud before it happens.
That is where hyper-local knowledge matters.
Knowing Brunswick County street by street, understanding which properties may be vulnerable, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, and having relationships within the local community can make all the difference. Technology may help people search for homes online, but it cannot replace experience, instincts, accountability, and a REALTOR® who truly knows and protects their market.
Common Red Flags of “Title Pirate” Scams
Property owners and buyers should be cautious if they encounter situations such as:
- Sellers who insist on email or WhatsApp communication only
- Refusal to speak live by phone or video
- Pressure to move unusually fast
- Vacant land or unoccupied homes being listed far below market value
- Sellers claiming to be overseas or unavailable
- Suspicious or recently created email addresses
- Wiring instruction changes sent only through email
- Sellers who cannot answer basic local property questions
Many of these scams specifically target vacant land because it can sit unnoticed for long periods of time. Unfortunately, Brunswick County’s growing popularity and large number of absentee owners make awareness especially important here along the coast.
How Brunswick County Property Owners Can Protect Themselves
One of the best tools available is already offered through our local Register of Deeds office.
Brunswick County property owners can register for Fraud Alert notifications that send an email if documents are recorded under their name. This can provide an early warning if suspicious deed activity occurs.
FREE Fraud Alert Registration:
https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/997/Fraud-Alert
Additional ways to protect yourself include:
- Regularly monitor vacant property
- Be cautious sharing personal information online
- Verify all wire instructions by phone with known contacts
- Work with trusted local REALTORS® and attorneys
- Avoid relying solely on email communication for major transactions
- Keep updated contact information on file with local professionals
- Respond quickly to suspicious activity involving your property
Real estate today is not just about marketing property — it’s about protecting clients.
Hyper-local knowledge means understanding the market, knowing the neighborhoods, recognizing suspicious behavior, and identifying when something simply doesn’t feel right.
As a REALTOR® deeply involved in the Brunswick County community, I believe experience and careful verification matter more than ever. Knowing local property histories, understanding ownership patterns, recognizing unusual communication behavior, and taking the time to properly vet transactions can help prevent buyers and sellers from becoming victims of increasingly sophisticated scams.
Professional REALTORS® also have access to tools like FOREWARN, an identity and safety verification platform that can help validate information connected to names and phone numbers. These are resources many consumers may not realize exist, but they are becoming increasingly important in today’s digital real estate environment.
Unfortunately, scammers often target situations with little oversight, including vacant land sales and “For Sale By Owner” transactions where owners may not fully recognize the warning signs of fraud.
A good REALTOR® is not just there to market a property. They are there to help protect clients, verify information, recognize red flags, work alongside trusted attorneys and lenders, and help prevent problems before they become devastating financial losses.
That’s the difference local representation still brings to real estate in coastal North Carolina.
— Mary Carneiro, REALTOR®
Southport Realty
At the Pulse of Real Estate with True Local Knowledge
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