BIC TIP #1325: Verify Your Seller Before You List
Is your seller actually your seller? Seller impersonation fraud is real, and Stephen Long, your Notorious BIC, wants listing agents to slow down and verify before taking a listing.
Match the Deed to the Signer
- Pull a copy of the deed before you list
- Confirm the names on the deed match the people signing your paperwork
- Check ID so the deed, the signer, and the identification all line up
Make Sure the Right Person Signs
Send the listing paperwork to the actual seller, not to someone signing on their behalf without authority. When in doubt, wet signatures are a great option because you meet the seller in person. Electronic signatures are fine, too. Just be sure the person signing is the seller, or someone with legal authority to sell the property.
The Practical Takeaway
A few minutes of verification up front can stop a fraudulent sale before it starts. Make deed, signer, and ID checks part of every listing appointment. Verify your seller and you will be great.
This BIC Tip is general real estate education for licensees and consumers, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules and forms change, so verify current NCREC rules, MLS rules, and standard forms, and consult a North Carolina attorney or qualified professional about your specific situation. See Disclaimers & Disclosures.
