

For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection announced the release of a comprehensive guide with scam prevention tips for homeowners. Homeownership evokes a feeling of pride and the start to long-term financial stability; it is also the biggest financial decision many people make. These tips aim to provide New York homeowners with the knowledge they need to help protect this significant investment. The guide is part four of a five-part consumer alert series to help New Yorkers navigate housing scams, which are a continuously growing risk for consumers. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
“Scammers are always looking for new ways to take advantage of consumers, and homeowners are often targeted for their personal information, money or property,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “Whether you’re a new homeowner or you’ve owned your property for decades, it’s important to take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself from nefarious scammers so you don’t lose out on thousands of dollars, or even worse, your home.”
"Scammers continue to become more sophisticated with ever-evolving tactics aimed at exploiting the dream of homeownership for their own gain," said Superintendent of the State Department of Financial Services Adrienne A. Harris. “The information in this guide provides homeowners with an important defense against these scams, and the Department stands ready to investigate and hold accountable those responsible.”
Below are tips to help homeowners protect their properties:
Protect your property from deed theft and fraud. The deed is the legal document that proves who owns the home. Deed fraud happens when scammers either forge signatures or convince the homeowner to unknowingly sign paperwork that transfers the deed. Some red flags to look for include when a person:
Steps You Can Take to Prevent Deed Theft or Fraud:
Avoid fraudulent refinancing offers. Homeowners often look to refinance for lower interest rates to help ease financial pressures. Remember to shop around for the best loan and pay attention to potentially deceptive offers.
Know your options if you fall behind on your mortgage. Unfortunately, during times of financial hardship homeowners are often targeted by scammers who prey on their desperation.
About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
For other consumer protection tips and consumer alerts, consumers can visit the DCP website or follow DCP on social media via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.
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