Property scams are common in the Philippines real estate market. Some common scams include double sales where a property is sold to two different buyers, pre-sale scams where developers lure buyers with low rates that may not materialize, and title fraud where scammers create fake documents to sell properties they do not own. It is important for buyers and sellers to be aware of these scams and to verify property details, ownership, and documents are legitimate to avoid being defrauded.

1. Property scams in the Philippines and how to
avoid them

2. Whether you're a buyer, an investor, or a
broker, you can be prone to scams and
other traps.
Here are some property scams that you
may encounter and advise on how to
deal with them.

3. DOUBLE SALE SCAM
This happens when a property is
bought by two different people.
Oftentimes, when the first buyer
fails to register and transfer the title
in his name, the seller will sell it
again to a second buyer.

4. PRE-SALE SCAM
At the pre-selling stage, some
developers entice prospective
buyers with extremely low rates
with attractive incentives and
timely turnover dates. Lured buyers
will then purchase the house, pay
the downpayment and monthly
equity.

5. PROPERTY
TITLE FRAUD
Scammers would use old
property titles and use
another information to
create fake titles.
They would also provide
supporting fraudulent
documents to make
everything seem real.

6. RENTAL SCAMS
There are rental listings
available online that are set
up by fake agents. They
would copy listings of
properties and present it as
their own.

7. Some agents are excellent salesperson that
they get away with misrepresenting a
property
ABSENCE OF FULL DISCLOSURE

8. FRAUDSTERS
POSING AS
BUYER
They would normally
approach a seller
privately and show keen
interest in the property
and put in an offer.

9. PLACE YOUR BOXES
INTO ONE AREA OF
YOUR HOME
DO!!!
Try to place the boxes at
the lower level or out
into your garage.

10. THE GOLDEN
RULE!
The rule states: the
heavier the item, the
smaller the box! It’s
much easier to carry
heavier items when
they’re in smaller
boxes.
DO!!!

11. ENSURE YOUR
MOVERS KNOW
WHERE EACH
BOX SHOULD BE
WHEN IT LANDS
AT YOUR NEW
HOME
Things like glass shelving and
wall hangings will need to be
handled with car.
DO!!!

12. INSPECT THE MOVING TRUCK
ONCE YOUR STUFFS ARE
UNLOADED TO REST ASSURE THAT
NOTHING LEFT INSIDE THE TRUCK
DO!!!

13. DON’T!!!
DON’T PUT
IMPORTANT
THINGS INTO A
MOVING TRUCK
Things like money, jewelry,
and important documentation
must be carried with you
personally.

14. NEVER HIRE
MOVERS YOU
HAVEN’T MET WITH
NOR HAVE NOT
BEEN ENDORSED BY
PERSONS YOU
TRUST.
DON’T!!!

15. DON’T DISTURB THE
MOVERS WHILE THEY ARE
AT WORK, PARTICULARLY
WHEN THEY ARE LIFTING
HEAVY OBJECTS.
DON’T!!!

16. DON’T!!!
NEVER
WATER YOUR
PLANTS TWO
DAYS BEFORE
YOU MOVE.

17. DON’T HIRE A
MOVER THAT
ISN’T INSURED
DON’T!!!
Movers must have general
liability coverage, coverage for
the value of your property,
workers compensation coverage,
and auto insurance for the
moving truck.

18. DON’T FORGET TO GO
BACK AND CHECK ALL
AREAS OF YOUR HOME
BEFORE YOUR MOVING
TRUCK LEAVES
DON’T!!!

19. DON’T!!!
NEVER
WATER YOUR
PLANTS TWO
DAYS BEFORE
YOU MOVE.

20. DON’T
REMOVE THE
CLOTHING
FROM
WOODEN
DRESSERS
DON’T!!!
You can save yourself money on boxes.
Dresses made out of other materials
may be heavier and the clothing should
be removed.

21. DO NOT PACK
COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCES
OR PERISHABLES IN YOUR
MOVING VAN
DON’T!!!

22. DON’T!!!
DON’T
FORGET TO TIP
YOUR MOVERS
IF THEY DID A
GOOD JOB

23. Property scams will always be
inevitable in the real estate world.
Make the wise decision and notify
the laws immediately when you
caught one.