What Is Home Title Fraud and How Can You Protect Yourself?

Homeownership is one of the most rewarding milestones in life, but it also comes with serious responsibilities. One growing risk that many homeowners overlook is home title fraud, also known as property title theft or deed fraud. This type of scam can be financially devastating, but with the proper knowledge and preventive steps, it’s also highly preventable.

What Is Home Title Theft?

Home title theft occurs when someone fraudulently transfers the ownership of your property into their name without your knowledge. This is often done using forged documents filed with the local county recorder’s office. Once the fraudulent deed is recorded, scammers may:

• Attempt to sell your home to an unsuspecting buyer
• Take out loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) against your property
• Use your home as collateral for personal debts or scams

Many homeowners don’t discover the fraud until it’s too late—when they try to sell or refinance, receive a foreclosure notice, or are denied credit due to liens they didn’t authorize.

How Title Fraud Happens

Fraudsters use forged documents, often pulled from public records, to claim ownership of your property. Once filed with your county, these documents appear legitimate.

Common targets include:

• Senior citizens
• Owners of second homes or vacant properties
• Individuals with paid-off mortgages
• Heirs of deceased homeowners

Warning Signs of Deed or Title Fraud

• Missing or redirected property tax bills
• Unfamiliar mortgage or loan statements
• Foreclosure warnings on unknown debts
• Unexpected credit report changes tied to your home
• Being denied financing due to title issues
• Mail service disruptions or suspicious address changes

What to Do If You’re a Victim

1. Request a copy of your deed or title from the county recorder’s office
2. File a report with your local police department and obtain a case number
3. Notify your lender or mortgage servicer immediately
4. Report the fraud to the FTC and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
5. Consult a real estate attorney to begin legal action
6. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus

How to Prevent Home Title Fraud

• Check your deed and title regularly with your county recorder’s office
• Sign up for property fraud alerts if available in your area
• Consider a reputable title monitoring or lock service
• Keep your property records private—avoid oversharing on public sites
• Shred documents containing personal or property info
• Update your mailing address with lenders and government agencies
• Watch out for phishing scams requesting personal details

Final Thoughts

Home title fraud is a real and growing threat, but you’re not powerless. With awareness and simple proactive steps, you can help protect your most valuable asset: your home.

If you’re refinancing or purchasing a home, make sure your title company offers comprehensive title insurance and protection. If you ever have questions, reach out to our team—we’re here to help you make informed, confident decisions about your home.