Which of the following fraud schemes involves the seller's signature on the deed being forged while the real homeowner is unaware of the fraudulent transfer?

The scenario described in the question refers to a fraud scheme where the homeowner's signature is forged on a property deed, allowing someone else to fraudulently transfer ownership without the real homeowner's knowledge. This type of scheme is specifically known as a deed scam.

In a deed scam, criminals often target unsuspecting homeowners and may use forged documents to falsely convey property ownership. These schemes can result in significant financial loss for the genuine homeowners, who may not realize what has happened until they are notified of the fraudulent sale or transfer. The essence of a deed scam lies in the unlawful alteration of ownership records without the consent of the true property owner, making it a serious form of real estate fraud.

In contrast, the other options listed represent different types of fraud schemes that do not fit the description provided. For instance, a bait and switch involves misleading customers into believing they will receive a specific product or service, only to be offered a different one. An air loan refers to a mortgage that is entirely fabricated, with no actual property involved. Equity skimming typically involves a scheme where unscrupulous investors convince homeowners in distress to sign over their property, ostensibly to help them avoid foreclosure while having no intent to provide help. Each of these options represents distinct fraudulent