Protecting a home goes beyond maintaining the property itself. It also means protecting the ownership, finances, and personal information connected to it.
At Diana Tyson’s recent Fraud & Scam Prevention Seminar, Detective Ryan Williams of the Glendale Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit shared practical information about the scams affecting homeowners and families today.
The presentation covered identity theft, bank and credit-card fraud, real estate and wire fraud, technology-related scams, and warning signs that should cause us to stop and verify before sending money or sharing personal information.
One of the most important reminders from the seminar was simple:
When something involving your money or property feels unusually urgent, stop and verify before taking action.
Scammers frequently rely on fear, urgency, and pressure to convince someone to act before they have time to question what is happening.
Understanding a few of the common warning signs can help homeowners and their families better protect what they have worked to build.
Practical Lessons in Fraud Prevention
One of the biggest lessons from Detective Williams’ presentation was that scams continue to change.
Even careful, well-informed people can become targets.
A caller, email, or text message may claim that something has gone wrong and needs to be addressed immediately. The person contacting you may even appear to represent a bank, technology company, financial institution, government agency, or another organization you recognize.
Urgency is often part of the strategy.
Instead of responding immediately, slow down.
Contact the organization independently using a phone number or communication method you already know is legitimate and ask questions before providing information or taking action.
Before sending money or sharing sensitive information, consider:
- Did I initiate this conversation?
- Is someone pressuring me to act immediately?
- Am I being asked to provide banking information or passwords?
- Is someone requesting remote access to my computer?
- Am I being asked to move money or purchase cryptocurrency?
- Can I independently verify who I am speaking with?
Taking additional time to verify a request can be one of the simplest ways to protect yourself.
Be Careful With Technology-Support Scams
Detective Williams also discussed technology-support scams.
In these situations, someone may pose as a representative from a technology company and claim there is a serious problem with your computer.
They may say your device has been compromised, infected with a virus, or requires immediate attention.
The person may then ask you to provide remote access to your computer.
Once inside, a scammer may be able to search for:
- Passwords
- Bank information
- Credit-card information
- Financial records
- Personal documents
- Other sensitive data
If you receive an unexpected technology-support call or message, avoid giving the person access to your computer.
Instead, contact the company directly using contact information you know is legitimate.
Protecting Your Home and Your Money From Real Estate Fraud
Real estate fraud can take different forms.
At the seminar, one topic discussed was how someone may attempt to fraudulently establish ownership of a property that does not belong to them.
One possible method involves preparing a deed that claims ownership has been transferred and then presenting that document for recording.
The document may appear properly completed, signed, and notarized even though no legitimate sale or transfer ever took place.
That makes paying attention to unexpected documents involving your home particularly important.
Why Property Records Deserve Your Attention
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk is responsible for recording documents.
Its role is not necessarily to investigate the underlying circumstances of every transaction presented for recording.
As a result, a document may potentially be recorded without independent confirmation that a legitimate sale or transfer actually occurred.
Recording a fraudulent document does not automatically make the transfer legally valid.
However, it can create a serious issue, cloud the property’s title, and require prompt attention.
For homeowners, the lesson is to pay close attention to correspondence, documents, or notices relating to your property.
If something does not look familiar or seems inconsistent with your ownership, do not simply ignore it.
Seek help from appropriately qualified professionals and determine what happened.
Take Extra Precautions When Wiring Funds
Wire fraud is another important concern during a real estate transaction.
Buyers and sellers may need to transfer substantial amounts of money during the purchase or sale of a property.
That makes wire instructions a particularly attractive target for scammers.
An email may appear to come from someone involved in your transaction and ask you to send money to a specific account.
Even if the email looks familiar, it is worth independently confirming the instructions before transferring funds.
Do not rely only on the phone number, email address, or contact details included in the message itself.
Use contact information you already trust.
When a significant financial transaction is involved, taking an additional verification step is worth the time.
Never Move Money Because of an Unsolicited Request
During the Fraud & Scam Prevention Seminar, Detective Williams shared a recent case that showed how sophisticated scams can become.
In that situation, scammers contacted a victim repeatedly over an extended period and gradually gained his trust.
Eventually, the victim transferred approximately $1 million, representing his life savings, into a cryptocurrency account.
By the time law enforcement became involved, the funds could not be recovered.
The lesson was clear:
Be extremely cautious if an unsolicited caller, online contact, or self-proclaimed expert directs you to move money, purchase cryptocurrency, or transfer funds.
A convincing conversation does not necessarily mean the person is legitimate.
Simple Ways to Help Protect Your Home and Finances
You do not need to recognize every new type of scam.
Instead, develop a few consistent habits that help you recognize when something deserves additional attention.
Slow Down
A sense of urgency can make it difficult to think clearly.
If someone is pressuring you to act immediately, give yourself time to verify what is happening.
Verify Independently
Do not simply call the number contained in a suspicious message.
Contact the organization using a phone number, website, or communication method you already trust.
Protect Your Personal Information
Avoid providing passwords, financial information, or remote access to your devices because of an unsolicited request.
Confirm Financial Instructions
When buying or selling real estate, independently verify important wire or payment instructions before sending money.
Pay Attention to Your Property
Unexpected correspondence, ownership documents, or title-related notices should not automatically be dismissed.
Ask questions if something does not look right.
Coming Soon: The Next Senior Seminar Education Series
Diana’s educational seminars are designed to help local homeowners and families better understand issues that may affect their homes, finances, and long-term plans.
The next event in the Senior Seminar Education Series is scheduled for:
Wills, Trusts, and the Plans That Protect You
January 22, 2027
Just as fraud prevention helps protect your financial and digital information, estate planning can help homeowners think carefully about how their home, savings, and other assets will be protected and distributed.
The seminar will focus on the essentials of wills, trusts, and planning for the future.
More information will be available as the event approaches.
Diana Tyson in the Community
Diana’s work in the community extends beyond real estate.
This October, the Crescenta Valley Lions Club’s Fall Into the Holidays Art, Craft and Gift Boutique will bring together local residents for a seasonal community event.
Fall Into the Holidays Art, Craft and Gift Boutique
Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
St. Luke’s of the Mountains
2563 Foothill Blvd.
La Crescenta, CA
The event will feature:
- Local art and handmade crafts
- Seasonal gifts
- An outdoor barbecue lunch
- A bake sale
- Live musical entertainment
- A charitable raffle
Funds raised through the boutique help support operations for The Firehouse Youth Center and provide academic scholarships for local students.
For Diana, events like this are another opportunity to stay connected to the community she serves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Fraud
Can Someone Fraudulently Record a Deed Against My Property?
Someone may attempt to submit a fraudulent deed or other document that falsely claims ownership has changed.
Recording the document does not automatically make an illegitimate transfer valid, but it may create title issues that require immediate attention.
What Should I Do If I Receive Suspicious Wiring Instructions?
Do not rely solely on the email or message containing those instructions.
Contact the appropriate professional independently through a communication method you already know and verify the details before transferring funds.
Should I Give Someone Remote Access to My Computer?
Be cautious when remote access is requested unexpectedly.
Scammers may use remote access to search for passwords, banking records, financial information, and other sensitive data.
Why Do Scammers Create a Sense of Urgency?
Urgency may encourage someone to act before taking time to verify a request.
If you are being pressured to send money or provide sensitive information immediately, stop and independently confirm what is happening.
What Should I Do if Something About My Property Doesn’t Look Right?
Depending on the circumstances, you may need to contact the appropriate county office, law enforcement, a title or escrow professional, an attorney, or another qualified professional.
If the issue relates to a real estate transaction or your broader real estate plans, Diana can also help you understand which questions to ask and where to begin.
Good Real Estate Decisions Start With Good Information
Protecting your home is about more than maintaining the physical property.
It also means understanding the financial, legal, and personal issues that can affect one of your most valuable assets.
Diana’s goal through her real estate work and community education efforts is to help homeowners and families stay informed, understand their choices, and feel better prepared to make decisions about their homes.
If you have a question about your home, the real estate market, downsizing, or what your options might be for the future, Diana is always happy to have a conversation.
Sometimes the first step is simply gathering good information and understanding your choices.
Contact Diana Tyson to start a no-pressure conversation about your real estate goals.
Diana Tyson, Realtor
DRE# 02024931
Keller Williams Real Estate Services
This article is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, cybersecurity, tax, title, or lending advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult appropriately qualified professionals regarding your specific situation.