My point is that if you make false statements, especially a promise of money, to induce someone to provide information over the phone, you would potentially be exposing yourself to criminal and civil process (if not liability). 

We can all be nice, civilized folks on BP. :) 2.

You then create your own secondary cash flow after time (this is why insurance companies are so rich, like you said, nothing has happened in 3 years)You should certainly have liability insurance on your property (no less than $1M) to protect yourself from any potential litigation from guests that trip, fall or hurt themselves while on your property. 

That way, if they litigate you have that notification as proof in court. 

This could leave the payee having to sue to recover the funds and the states have held this is not a theft but rather a civil matter. 

Cease and desist orders for unlicensed activity; civil penalty.A.

totally  just walk away .. nothing is going to happen you never sent the money in so the contract was never ratified for one..the cost to litigate this would exceed the amount of the contract. .and by the time you did he would lose the underlying deal  its a joke to spend one second worrying about this.. 

Plus, the real estate attorney, the title company, etc are exposed to civil liability as well.

@Scott Houin  and this knee jerk reaction to get a lawyer is stupid to the 10th power.. no one does that over a few hundred bucks.. if they STOLE all your rent money that's one thing.. but this is a simple matter if you don't like what they did fire them.. but get a lawyer lets get real the people that would say that have Zero experience in litigation or legal matters.. its just a default saying.. if your really that upset .. maybe you take them to small claims court and see what judge judy has to say about it. 

Can you cite a statute (in any state) that would support your claim that this prospect, who "feels like they aren't being treated well" will be able to 1) identify the statute in violation, and 2) successfully file a claim in civil court that "has a good chance of winning"?