RENT Magazine Q3'26

AI-GENERATED SCAMS ARE BECOMING SO REALISTIC THAT EVEN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS CAN STRUGGLE TO IDENTIFY THEM.

AI IS ALSO INCREASING WIRE FRAUD RISK

Property owners involved in refinances, acquisitions, or real estate transactions face another growing danger: AI-driven impersonation scams. Real estate investors and landlords are particularly attractive targets because transactions often involve large wire transfers and multiple third parties. The FBI reported more than $16 billion in internet crime losses in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023. Experts warn that AI-generated scams are becoming so realistic that even experienced professionals can struggle to identify them.

TO TRICK PARTIES INTO REDIRECTING FUNDS, CYBERCRIMINALS ARE NOW USING: • Cloned voices • Fake emails • Fraudulent escrow instructions • Deepfake communications

THE BIGGER ASSET PROTECTION CONVERSATION

Traditionally, asset protection planning focused on LLC structures, insurance, trusts, and liability exposure. Those strategies still matter enormously. But modern protection planning increasingly includes operational and cyber-related safeguards as well. For rental property owners, the conversation is evolving from “How do I protect my assets from lawsuits?” to also include “How do I protect my properties, accounts, transactions, and identity from AI driven fraud?” This is where stronger income and identity verification can make a major difference.

AAOA now offers IRS Income Verification. This gives landlords a more reliable way to verify income directly through IRS sourced records instead of relying only on documents supplied by the applicant. The service also includes an identity verification step that requires the applicant to take a live selfie designed to prevent fake or spoofed images and match the applicant against identity records. For landlords worried about AI generated documents or synthetic identities, this provides a much stronger layer of protection. IRS Income Verification is $15 and is now available to order by emailing customerservice@aaoa.com.

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