Understanding Public Records Scams
What are Public Records Scams?
Public records scams are when fraudsters impersonate organizations related to the public information identified. For example, if you recently closed on a loan, such as a real estate loan and the information is published publicly, fraudsters are known to target their victims by impersonating insurance companies, financial institutions, attorney offices and title companies to manipulate consumers into purchasing “protections,” warranties, and services that are unnecessary or non-existent.
Individuals also may find themselves the target of “home security” solicitations or door-to-door salespersons who oftentimes are actual thieves or working in collusion with thieves and criminal organizations, do not allow door-to-door salespersons in your home.
Red Flags of Public Records Scams
- Unsolicited mail not clearly identifying the organization they represent.
- If in doubt, contact your mortgage company directly using publicly published information to inquire about the solicitation.
- Do not use the contact information listed on the mailer.
- Door to door salesperson who wants to offer a free security assessment of the property do not accept.
- If you wish to receive a security assessment, contact a security company directly and request the service.
- Unsolicited text messages or emails with links included requesting your urgent action to respond by clicking the link. Do not click links from individuals you do not know. They could contain malware and infect your device(s).
Guiding Principles for Fraud Prevention
Review the tips below to prevent becoming a victim of a Social Engineering attack.
