As the housing market starts to heat up with spring around the corner, local experts are warning home buyers and home sellers to be aware of a scam that is targeting the uptick in activity.

Connie Unruh with the DeWitt County TRIAD says home buyers are being targeted by scammers who are hacking the email accounts of attorneys and posing as a real estate attorney asking for emergency payments.

Attorneys are warning their clients and the community to safeguard against these scams. Before you make any transactions, Unruh says to personally call your attorney's office with a number you have even if you have received a call from a number that looks like theirs.

The coronavirus's impact on the stock market has also brought new challenges for the public as it relates to scams. We'll have more with Unruh on that later this week on Regional Radio News.