Farmland Title Fraud on the Rise as Scammers Target Rural Property Owners

RFD News Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen discussed red flags landowners should watch for during property transactions.

TOPEKA, Kan. (RFD News) — Concerns surrounding farmland real estate fraud in the ag sector continue to grow as scammers increasingly target rural landowners across the country.

RFD News farm legal expert Roger McEowen, with Kansas’ Washburn School of Law, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to break down why agricultural property has become a growing target for criminals.

According to McEowen, fraudsters are impersonating landowners and attempting to sell agricultural property they do not actually own, creating major financial and legal risks for farmers and families.

In his interview with RFD News, McEowen explained some of the unique opportunities rural land transactions can create for scammers and shared real-world examples highlighting the risks involved. He also outlined common warning signs and red flags that landowners, buyers, and attorneys should watch for as these schemes continue to appear more frequently across rural America.

READ MORE: Title Fraud Crisis Escalating in Farmland Real Estate — Firm to Farm

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Roger McEowen of the Washburn School of Law discusses the lack of legal expertise in rural areas and a new program in Kansas aimed at addressing the issue.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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