Warns Seniors of Targeted Real Estate and Property Scams
The California Department of Real Estate issued a consumer alert on February 19, 2026 warning seniors about targeted real estate and mortgage fraud schemes. The alert describes common scams including foreclosure rescue fraud, prepaid rental listing fraud, timeshare resale schemes, online rental fraud, unlicensed property managers, and real property recordation fraud. Fraud avoidance tips are provided to help California consumers protect themselves from deception. This is an informational advisory with no compliance obligations.
Consumer Alert: Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud Awareness
The California Department of Real Estate issued a consumer alert warning California residents about common real estate and mortgage fraud schemes, including mortgage fraud, business email compromise, deed and title fraud, and foreclosure rescue scams. The alert provides prevention tips and notes that individuals who unknowingly enable fraudulent activity may face legal scrutiny.
LA Property Owners Near Wildfires Report Unsolicited Offers
CA DRE issued a consumer alert on January 17, 2025, informing Los Angeles-area wildfire victims about protections under Executive Order N-7-25 against predatory real estate offers. The Order prohibits unsolicited purchase offers below pre-fire fair market value in specified zip codes (90019, 90041, 90049, 90066, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402, 91001, 91024, 91040, 91103, 91104, 91106, 91107, 91367, 93535, 93536) through July 1, 2025. Violators may face misdemeanor charges with fines up to $1,000 and imprisonment up to six months. Property owners are urged to report predatory offers to LAFires@dre.ca.gov.
Most Common Enforcement Violations Under California Real Estate Law
The California Department of Real Estate issued a consumer alert on August 26, 2025, highlighting the most common enforcement violations under the Real Estate Law. The alert identifies six violation categories: trust fund account mismanagement, failure to supervise, unlicensed activity, misrepresentation, criminal conviction reporting failures, and advertising violations. The alert serves to inform real estate professionals and consumers about compliance requirements and enforcement priorities.
DRE Recognizes Financial Literacy Month
The California Department of Real Estate issued a consumer alert recognizing National Financial Literacy Month and promoting its educational resources for homebuyers, borrowers, and property owners. The alert directs consumers to tools including license verification, publications on home loans, foreclosure prevention, and fraud protection, as well as the First Home California program. No compliance obligations or regulatory changes are imposed.
Short Sale Disciplinary Orders - Desist and Refrain Orders and Accusations, 50+ Respondents, 2010-2013
The California Department of Real Estate published a list of Desist and Refrain Orders and/or Accusations filed against 50+ respondents related to short sale transactions from 2010 to 2013. The actions target both licensed real estate professionals and unlicensed entities providing short sale services in California. Some respondents were ordered to stop short sale activities due to operating without a real estate license. The document advises consumers to inquire about case dispositions before engaging services.
California Course Provider Disciplinary Actions List
The California Department of Real Estate published an updated list of formal and pending disciplinary actions filed against pre-license/statutory and continuing education course providers. The list includes 26 respondents with associated H-numbers, filed dates, and sponsor numbers dating from 2012 to 2025. Two new entries were added on December 2, 2025, for Real Estate Trainers, Inc. and Lance Michael McHarg under sponsor number S0204.
Desist and Refrain Orders for Unlicensed Real Estate Activity
The California Department of Real Estate publishes Desist and Refrain Orders against persons or entities that conducted real estate activity without proper licensure. The list includes names such as Above Par Real Estate Services, Acosta, Robert Conrad, and 805 Property Management with order dates ranging from 1998 to 2025. Consumers are advised to verify license status through the online licensee database before engaging real estate services.
Desist and Refrain Orders and Accusations for Loan Modification and Foreclosure Rescue Activities
The California Department of Real Estate published a list of Desist and Refrain Orders and/or Accusations filed against approximately 200+ respondents for loan modification and foreclosure rescue transaction violations. Actions target both unlicensed entities providing loan modification services and licensed professionals collecting advance fees illegally. Orders carry binding legal force under California Real Estate Law.
Monthly Index for California Real Estate Enforcement Actions
The California Department of Real Estate maintains an online index portal providing links to monthly enforcement action reports dating back to 2024. The index covers disciplinary actions against real estate licensees, desist and refrain orders, license reinstatement decisions, denied applications, and voluntary surrenders under the Real Estate Law.
Current Winter 2026, Past Issues Archive
The California Department of Real Estate maintains an online archive of the Real Estate Bulletin, an educational quarterly publication for licensees and interested parties. New issues are published on the DRE website in mid-March, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-December. This archive page provides links to the current Winter 2026 issue as well as historical issues dating back to 2014.
Consumer Alerts Protecting California Real Estate Consumers
The California Department of Real Estate published an index page listing consumer alerts from 2021-2025 covering price gouging warnings, buyer representation changes, scam alerts, and predatory lending concerns targeting wildfire survivors. Alerts include references to AG enforcement actions against realtors and guidance on trust fund protection.
Licensee Alerts and Advisories Index
The California Department of Real Estate published an index of licensee alerts and advisories spanning 2018–2025. The index covers topics including fair housing, anti-discrimination, price gouging warnings, scam alerts, licensing changes, fee adjustments, buyer representation requirements, and continuing education updates. Each advisory is linked to its respective PDF or HTML page for detailed information.
Press Releases Archive 2009-2026
The California Department of Real Estate published its press release archive listing regulatory announcements from 2009 to 2026. The archive documents DRE disciplinary actions including license revocations, suspensions, consumer alerts on rental price gouging and mortgage fraud, multi-state enforcement settlements, executive orders affecting licensees, and educational partnerships. The page serves as a public index of the department's regulatory and consumer protection activities.
DRE Newsroom Updates Scam Alerts Disciplinary Actions
The California Department of Real Estate published routine newsroom updates including an AI advisory for real estate licensees, consumer alerts about scams targeting seniors, and a press release announcing disciplinary action against Real Estate Trainers Inc. and Lance McHarg for subverting real estate license exam content. The updates span January through March 2026.