Land Scams

Before listing a property, follow your office policies/procedures for confirming the current property owner. The links below outline what the scammer possibly has to gain.

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Reported to Staff on November 22, 2024: A man is posing as John Bartleman claiming to own River Run Lot 7122 and 7123, and asking agents to list his properties. This has been confirmed as a scam, and the true owners are not selling the lots.

Reported to Staff on November 6, 2024: Marvin Newman (917-437-5788, marvinnewman11@outlook.com) is trying to sell 685 Dentville Rd, Delano, TN. According to the real Marvin Newman, the scammer is also using a fake passport to impersonate him.

Also, someone is claiming to be Jack D. Edwards to sell 2 vacant lots* ASAP. After using CRS and Forewarn, the true Jack Edwards was called. He had no interest in selling these 2 lots as they are extra land next to his home. The scammer is calling from (347) 948-9008 and using email jackdedwards22@hotmail.com. *Addresses: 8658 Autumn Oak Ln, Harrison, TN 373411 and 6868 Pine Thicket Trl, Harrison, TN 37341

Reported to Staff on July 31, 2024: Pamela (lounsburypamela@outlook.com, 512-221-1049) attempted to list 1223 Coffelt Road in Hixson.

Circulated through Flexmls on May 17, 2024: Agents are being contacts by Nicholas Batson (NICHOLASBATSON12@outlook.com OR 303-536-7029) indicating he has a lot on Signal Mountain to sell. Agents have spoken with the true property owner, who is not selling.

Circulated through Flexmls on May 17, 2024: Someone pretending to be Rick Garland is calling from an untraceable number of 310-270-1426. English does not appear to be his first language. He’s trying to sell “his” vacant lot on Savannah Drive. A member spoke to the real Rick Garland in Dalton, GA, and confirmed he is NOT selling any land. Please refer to www.gcar.net/landscams for related alerts sent previously.

Circulated through Flexmls on February 14, 2024: Please see below for a recent scenario and previous* alerts about the “land scam” of criminals posing as property owners. A "Mr. Jeffrey Lane" texting from 385-474-1588 is posing as the owner of 301 Hightower Drive (Dalton, GA). Lane is attempting to list the vacant land for sale. Lane says he found the potential listing agent after browsing on Realtor.com. The agent did the right thing - contacted the property owner through tax records to confirm the true owner, who confirmed the land is not for sale. The agent has informed Lane they have notified the authorities.

Circulated through Flexmls on January 4, 2024: The following "sellers" are in our market trying to list and sell vacant land:
- Stephen Marquart, stephenmarquart1@outlook.com, 680-910-1737
- Elizabeth Marquart, elizabethmarquart@proton.me

Circulated through Flexmls on December 28, 2023: In July, we alerted you of a man identifying as William Shewell, who has surfaced again. Most recently, he called from 307-298-9986 and returned calls from 680-910-1737. He uses the email of williamshewell2@outlook.com. He desires to sell "his" vacant lot on Lookout Mountain. The real property owner has been notified. Stay alert out there, as he may move on to other vacant land, vacant homes, or properties that are mortgage-free or have very little left owing.

Circulated through Flexmls on July 24, 2023: A man identifying himself as William Shewell of Atlanta is contacting agents in our market about selling land on Lookout Mountain. Mr. Shewell came through as a lead from one of the portals. After encountering many of the red flags (i.e., “seller” said he resided in Atlanta but was out of town and wanted to close via e-sign, provided excuses as to why he could not present an ID, alleged he worked for the secret service), our member contacted the actual property owner, who confirmed he is not looking to sell his vacant land.

Circulated through Flexmls on March 3, 2024: As a follow-up to our January 3, 2023 alert, we continue to get reports of criminals posing as real property owners. Through a series of impersonations, they are listing and negotiating the sale of vacant or lien-free properties. This scam has become so prevalent that the Secret Service issued this alert, which you’re encouraged to read to understand how the scheme works and tips for not falling victim.

Circulated through Flexmls on January 3, 2023: ALERT: In recent weeks, we’ve received various notifications involving a bogus seller executing (or attempting to) listing agreements with REALTORS®. In most cases, the property is land, not an existing home.