By Fred Flamer
I struggled a bit while putting this article together because Title Fraud is a relatively rare crime. During my career, I have seen very few cases where someone was arrested, indicted, and/or ultimately prosecuted for this type of offense. In the end, I decided it was still worth writing about because, although uncommon, it does happen. At the very least, I can say I put it on everyone's radar.
Title Fraud—also known as Deed Fraud or Property Title Theft—occurs when a criminal illegally transfers ownership of someone else's property into their own name, or into the name of a fictitious person, using forged documents, fake notary acknowledgments, and stolen personal information.
When you stop and think about everything that has to go right for a criminal to pull off a scheme like this, it takes a tremendous amount of nerve. In my opinion, this isn't your typical opportunistic scam. It usually requires someone with specialized knowledge of real estate transactions, public records, and the paperwork involved in transferring property ownership.
Once a fraudulent deed has been successfully recorded with the county, the scammer may attempt to:
- Sell the property to an unsuspecting buyer.
- Take out loans or mortgages against the property's equity.
- Rent out the property and illegally collect rental payments.
Again, I want to emphasize that Title Fraud is rare, but for the unfortunate victims, the financial and emotional impact can be enormous.
Contrary to what many people believe, criminals rarely target someone's primary residence. More commonly, they focus on:
- Vacant land
- Vacation homes or second homes
- Properties that are owned free and clear (without a mortgage)
- Homes or property owned by senior citizens
While researching this topic, I found myself wondering why paid-off homes seem to attract criminals. A friend pointed out something that should have been obvious to me. Properties without a mortgage are less likely to have an active lender monitoring ownership records and suspicious activity.
Duh...why didn't I think of that?
How to Protect Yourself from Title Fraud
Sign Up for Free Property Fraud Alerts
Many County Recorder, County Clerk, or Register of Deeds offices offer free Property Fraud Alert services. Once enrolled, you'll receive an email or text notification whenever a deed, mortgage, lien, or other recorded document is filed in your name or against your property.
Considering that these services are often free, I believe they're one of the easiest ways to stay informed.
Freeze and Monitor Your Credit
Many title fraud schemes eventually involve fraudulent loans.
Placing a security freeze on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion makes it much more difficult for criminals to open new credit accounts or obtain loans using your identity.
It's also a good habit to periodically review your credit reports for accounts or inquiries you don't recognize.
Purchase an Owner's Title Insurance Policy
When purchasing a home, many buyers don't realize that the lender's title insurance policy only protects the lender—not the homeowner.
An Owner's Title Insurance Policy, particularly an enhanced policy, can help cover legal expenses and certain financial losses if someone later challenges your ownership or attempts to use forged documents involving your property's title.
Pay Attention to Your Mail
I know...many of us immediately lose enthusiasm when something arrives from the IRS, county tax collector, or mortgage company.
In fact, some people don't even want to open the envelope unless they think there's a refund check inside!
But sometimes those very letters are the first warning signs that something is wrong.
Be alert for:
- Missing property tax bills
- Missing utility bills
- Unexpected mortgage or loan statements
- Foreclosure notices for loans you never obtained
- Official correspondence being mailed to an address you don't recognize
These could indicate that someone has fraudulently changed your mailing address or attempted to use your property in a financial scheme.
Be Skeptical of "Home Title Lock" Services
You have probably seen television commercials advertising subscription services that claim to "lock" your home's title.
The truth is, they don't actually lock anything.
They cannot prevent someone from attempting to file a fraudulent deed with the county. What these services generally do is monitor public property records and notify you if changes occur.
The important thing to remember is that many county recorder offices already provide very similar notification services—for free.
Before paying for a subscription, check with your local county recorder or county clerk's office to see whether they already offer property fraud alerts at no cost.
Final Thoughts
Title Fraud is not something most homeowners will ever experience, and thankfully, that's a good thing. However, understanding that it exists—and knowing the warning signs—can help you detect problems before they become catastrophic.
As I often say, the best defense is awareness. You don't have to become an expert in real estate law. You simply need to know enough to recognize when something doesn't look right and act quickly if it doesn't.
-Fin-
#TitleDeedPropertyFraud #SeniorSecured #SecurityAware
© 2026 Fred Flamer. All Rights Reserved.