As a longtime realtor and advocate for homeowners across Monterey County, I have heard some terrible stories about homeowners getting scammed, usually when they are under financial stress. Two scams in particular—Equity Skimming and Mortgage Elimination—are targeting homeowners who are trying to stay afloat. Let’s break down what these scams look like and how you can protect yourself and your property. Equity Skimming: Equity skimming happens when a bad actor convinces a str