Consumer Alerts Protecting California Real Estate Consumers

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Consumer Alerts

2025

• DRE Recognizes Financial Literacy Month (April 2025)
• ICYMI: State continues to protect LA firestorm survivors from price gouging | Governor of California (February 2025)
• Attorney General Bonta Charges Second Los Angeles Realtor for Price Gouging Victims of Eaton Fire (January 2025)
• Attorney General Bonta Files Charges Against a Southern California Real Estate Agent for Price Gouging Eaton Fire Victims (January 2025)
• Public Notice: Los Angeles Property Owners Near Wildfires Urged to Report Unsolicited Offers to Buy Their Properties Under Fair Market Value (January 2025)
  • En Español

In Chinese

In Vietnamese

In Tagalog

• Governor Newsom issues order to protect fire victims from predatory real estate speculators (January 2025)
• Consumer Alert – DRE Warns Against Price Gouging in Wildfire Areas (January 2025)

2024

• Consumer Alert – Changes to Real Estate Buyer Representation and Compensation (December 2024)
• Consumer Alert – Attorney General Bonta Secures Preliminary Injunction Against MV Realty, Benefiting Nearly 1,500 Homeowners (September 2024)
• Consumer Alert – Department of Real Estate Alerts Consumers About Recent Credit Union and Bank Scams (May 2024)
• Consumer Alert – Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alerts, Guidance to Protect California Tenants and Remind Property Managers and Landlords of their Legal Obligations February 2024)

2023

• Consumer Alert – Department of Real Estate Alerts Consumers About Recent Lawsuit Against MV Realty

(December 2023)
- Consumer Alert – Department of Real Estate Alerts Consumers About Importance of Making Sure Real Estate Trust Funds are Protected

(May 2023)

2022

• Consumer Alert: DRE Warns Consumers to Beware of I.D. Theft Scammers Trying to Rent Housing They Do Not Own or Legally Control

(October 2022)
- En Español

In Chinese

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese

• Consumer Alert Information Video

2021

• Warning for California Homeowners in Financial Distress

(August 2021)
- En Español

In Chinese

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese

• Consumer Alert- Foreclosure Alternatives

(August 2021)
- En Español

In Chinese

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese

• Consumer Alert – Consumer Resources for Complaints About Housing and Lending Discrimination

(April 2021)

2020

• Consumer Alert- Possible Alternatives or Options to Foreclosure

(October 2020)
- En Español

In Chinese

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese

• Consumer Alert- Fraud Warnings for California Homeowners in Financial Distress

(April 2020)
- En Español

In Arabic

In Armenian

In Cantonese

In Chinese

In Farsi

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese

• Consumer Alert- Be Cautious of Those Who Target Others in Vulnerable Financial Situations

(March 2020)
- En Español

In Arabic

In Chinese

In Farsi

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese
- Consumer Alert- Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Escrow-holders BEWARE: Criminals are targeting your Wire and Electronic Funds Transfers!

(March 2020)
- En Español

In Arabic

In Chinese

In Farsi

In Korean

In Tagalog

In Vietnamese

2018

• Consumer Alert- Buyer, Seller, Real Estate Agents and Escrow-holders BEWARE: Criminals are targeting your Wire and Electronic Funds Transfers!

(October 2018)

2017

• Consumer Alert- Warning regarding timeshare exit/release companies (July 2017)
• Consumer Alert – Don't get burned by Rental Listing Scammers. (July 2017)
• Consumer Alert - Research Potential Escrow Agents

(March 2017)

2016

• 'Take Their Money and Run': Rental Scams Target Thousands Looking for Apartments, Authorities Say Joel Grover and Matthew Glasser NBC November 14, 2016 Reina Gonzales was searching for an affordable apartment on Craigslist when she found what she thought was the perfect place. The three-bedroom house for $1,600 was in her price range and in the right neighborhood. But there was no street address on the ad and no photos. There was simply a phone number.

2015

• CFPB Files Suit Against Nationwide Biweekly for Luring Consumers with False Promises of Mortgage Savings

2014

• Suggested Questions for Consumers to Ask those who Offer Real Estate and Home Loan Services: Helping you to avoid becoming a scam victim

(September 2014)
- DRE Issues Tips for Seniors to Avoid Real Estate and Related Fraud

(August 2014)
- Top Ten Tips For Non-English Speakers to Avoid (I) Becoming a Victim of Real Estate, Home Loan, and Rental Fraud, and (II) Scams in General

(April 2014)
- En Español

2013

• Warning Regarding Online Rental Schemes

(October 2013)
- Beware of Scammers Who Are Using the Names and Information of Legitimate California Real Estate Licensees

(October 2013)
- Warning Regarding Latest Timeshare Fraud Scheme Involving Wire Transfers

(February 2013)
- En Español

2012

• Pre-Paid Rental Listing Services (PRLS) Consumer Alert and Fraud Warning

(November 2012)
- Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Scams ALERT

(October 2012)
- Consumer Warning: Underfunded Homeowners Associations

(September 2012)
- Warning to Non-English Speaking Hispanics: Protect Yourself from Home Loan and Foreclosure Rescue Scams

(July 2012)
- En Español

• "Cash for Keys" – Information for Consumers and DRE Licensees

(April 2012)
- En Español

In Chinese

• Consumer Alert and Fraud Warning Regarding Forged and Fraudulent Deeds

(March 2012)
- En Español

In Chinese

• Fraud Warning Regarding Timeshare Resale Fraud

(March 2012)
- En Español

In Chinese

2011

• FRAUD WARNING REGARDING LAWSUIT MARKETERS REQUESTING UPFRONT FEES FOR SO-CALLED "MASS JOINDER" OR CLASS LITIGATION PROMISING EXTRAORDINARY HOME MORTGAGE RELIEF

(March 2011)
- En Español

In Chinese

• Consumer Alert: What You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Getting Ripped Off in Real Estate and Home Loan Relief Scams

(February 2011)
- En Español

In Chinese

• New Federal Rule Outlaws Advance Fees and False Claims, and Requires Clear Disclosures, Regarding Mortgage Assistance Relief (including Loan Modification, Short Sale, and Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure) Services

(February 2011)
- En Español

In Chinese

2010

• Consumer Alert - Beware of Imposter Landlords

(November 2010)
- En Español

In Chinese

• Update to DRE Consumer Alert Regarding Forensic Loan Audits – New State Legislation Requires Auditor Registration with the California Department of Justice and Maintenance of a Bond; Violation is a Crime

(October 2010)
- Consumer and Industry Warning: False and Misleading Designations and Claims of Special Expertise, Certifications and/or Credentials

(October 2010)
- Update to DRE Issued Consumer and Industry Alert(s) Regarding Short Sales Fraud, and Related Issues

(September 2010)
- En Español

• Warning Regarding Residential "Short" Sales

(April 2010)
- En Español

In Chinese

• Fraud Warning Regarding Forensic Loan Audits

(February 2010)
- En Español

2009

• Fraud Warnings for California Homeowners

(November 2009)
- En Español

In Chinese

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accuracy of this translation. Please consult a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation
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