Trust & Safety

Don't get played.

Real estate scams are more common than most people realize — and they target sellers, buyers, and renters alike. This page exists to help you recognize the red flags, protect yourself, and know who you're actually dealing with.

STAY PROTECTED

Alpha Realty Solutions will never ask you to wire money, send gift cards, or pay fees upfront to receive a cash offer. If someone claiming to be ARS asks you to do any of these things, it is a scam. Contact us directly to verify any outreach you receive.

Know What to Look For

Common real estate scams.

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Seller Scam

Fake Cash Buyers & "We Buy Houses" Fraudsters

Not every company claiming to buy your house for cash is legitimate. Some exist solely to tie up your property, waste your time, and either collect upfront fees or steal your personal information in the process. They use aggressive marketing, create false urgency, and disappear before closing.

Red Flags
They ask for upfront fees, deposits, or "processing charges" before making an offer
Extreme pressure to sign quickly — "This offer expires today"
They request personal financial documents before any formal agreement
Offers that seem impossibly high — bait to collect your info or tie up your property
No title company involved and no verifiable closing process
Protect Yourself
Verify the company is registered and in good standing with the Georgia Secretary of State
Never pay any fee to receive a cash offer — legitimate buyers do not charge sellers
Insist on closing through a licensed title company — never wire funds directly to a buyer
Impersonation Scam

People Posing as Licensed Real Estate Agents

Some scammers pose as licensed real estate agents to collect money, gain access to your property, or obtain sensitive financial documents. They may present fake credentials, use real agent names, or operate convincingly before the deal falls apart — often after you've paid them something.

Red Flags
Unable or unwilling to provide a Georgia real estate license number
Not affiliated with a verifiable, registered brokerage
Requests upfront commission or retainer fees before any listing agreement
They cannot provide verifiable credentials, a license number, or a registered brokerage when asked
Pushes you toward unusual payment methods or private wire transfers
Stories or credentials that don't check out when you search independently
Protect Yourself
Verify any agent's license number at grec.state.ga.us — the Georgia Real Estate Commission's public database
Call the brokerage they claim to represent directly using a number you find independently — not one they gave you
Never sign a listing agreement or release documents without verifying credentials first
A word on bad-faith agents: Not every problematic agent is a scammer. Some are simply not working in your best interest — taking on listings they know are overpriced, withholding offers, or failing to advise you properly. Always ask an agent directly how they plan to communicate with you, how they determine pricing, and what happens if your property isn't getting interest. A good agent welcomes those questions.
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Rental Scam

Fake Rentals & Phantom Landlords

Rental scams typically involve a fraudster copying a real property listing — or stealing walk-through videos from TikTok, YouTube, or other platforms — posting them at an attractively low price, and collecting a deposit or first month's rent from a victim who never gets keys. These scams are especially common on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, TikTok, and other informal channels. Always verify the person advertising a rental is actually authorized to rent it, and confirm their credentials before sending a single dollar.

Red Flags
Rental price is significantly below market rate for the area
No in-person showing available through any representative, agent, or property manager — only photos or videos
Asked to send a deposit via wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards before signing anything
Lease documents arrive before you've seen the property or met anyone
Communication feels rushed, scripted, or comes from a generic email address
Protect Yourself
Never pay a deposit or first month's rent without touring the property in person first
Verify the landlord actually owns the property through county property records
Use a personal check or money order for deposits — never gift cards, Zelle, or wire transfers
Reverse-image-search any listing photos to see if they've been stolen from another source
Wire & Title Fraud

Wire Fraud & Title Theft at Closing

Wire fraud targeting real estate transactions has become one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country. Scammers intercept email communication between buyers, sellers, agents, and title companies — then send fraudulent wiring instructions that redirect your closing funds to their account. Once wired, funds are nearly impossible to recover.

Red Flags
Last-minute email with "updated" or "changed" wiring instructions
Email sender address looks similar to your title company but is slightly different
Urgency around a wire — "must be sent today or the deal falls through"
Wiring instructions arrive by email only, with no confirmation phone call
Protect Yourself
Always verify wiring instructions by calling your title company directly — using a number from their official website, not from the email
Treat any last-minute change to wiring instructions as suspicious until verified verbally
Check email addresses carefully — scammers use addresses like "titleco-closing@gmail.com" that look legitimate at a glance
If you've wired to the wrong account, call your bank immediately — you have a narrow window to attempt a reversal
Distressed Seller Scam

Foreclosure Relief & Loan Modification Scams

Homeowners facing foreclosure are a prime target. Scammers pose as "foreclosure rescue specialists" or "loan modification experts" promising to save your home — for a fee. They collect your money, do nothing, and in some cases convince you to sign documents that transfer your deed to them.

Red Flags
Guarantees they can stop foreclosure or modify your loan — no one can guarantee this
Requires upfront fees before performing any service
Tells you to stop communicating with your lender or servicer
Asks you to sign documents you haven't read or had reviewed
Suggests signing your deed over to them temporarily to "protect" your home
Contacted you out of nowhere after your name appeared in public foreclosure filings
Protect Yourself
Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor for free foreclosure prevention advice at hud.gov
Never sign a deed or transfer any ownership interest without an attorney reviewing the documents first
Always keep communicating with your lender directly — foreclosure timelines have options, and your lender would rather work with you
How We Operate

What you can always expect from us.

We know the real estate industry has bad actors — that's partly why this page exists. When you work with Alpha Realty Solutions, here's what is always true, no exceptions.

No upfront fees — ever. We never charge sellers to receive a cash offer or to close a transaction.
All closings go through a licensed title company. We never ask you to wire funds directly to us.
We are a registered Georgia LLC. You can verify our business at any time through the Georgia Secretary of State.
We never pressure you to sign. You have time to read every document and consult an attorney if you choose.
If you receive suspicious outreach from someone claiming to be ARS, contact us directly to verify.
Before you work with anyone, ask:
Are they registered with the Georgia Secretary of State?
Are they asking you to pay any fee before closing?
Will closing happen through a licensed title company?
Are they pressuring you to decide quickly?
Have you searched their name and company online for complaints?
Not sure if something is legitimate?

If you've received an offer, outreach, or communication that feels off — or you want to verify that you're actually dealing with Alpha Realty Solutions — reach out to us directly. We'll confirm or clarify anything, no obligation.

Contact ARS Directly →