Protecting Your Property From Title Theft

Have you seen scary ads for deed theft or home title fraud protection? They often claim that this type of crime is soaring. There’s no clear evidence that this is true. Nor is there any reason to pay for a service that protects your home’s title. You can do much or all of this monitoring yourself for free.

Deed fraud is a type of identity theft. A criminal identifies a potential home to target and then forges the owner’s signature on the deed as they “sell” it to themselves. When they register the sale at the county recorder’s office, they’ll use personal information gleaned from the internet or elsewhere to assume your identity or claim to represent you. After taking ownership of the property, they’re free to do whatever they want.

• Steps To Protect Yourself
  Sign up for property monitoring services through your county recorder’s office.
  Check property records periodically.
  Be wary of unsolicited offers to buy your property.
  Keep copies of your deed and property documents in secure locations.
  Never sign property documents without professional review.
  Pay attention to incoming bills.
  Monitor your credit reports for signs of identity theft.
  Purchase a title insurance policy or buy one when refinancing.

There are indicators that fraud may have occurred that you can monitor.
You stop receiving your water bill or property tax assessment or bill.
Utility bills on a vacant property rise suddenly, or you find people living there.
You stop receiving your tenants’ rent payments.
You receive payment books or other information from a lender with whom you haven’t done business.
You find yourself in default on a loan or notified of foreclosure proceedings.

Property Fraud Alert is a free consumer notification service that alerts subscribers each time a document with their name on it is recorded in the participating County Land Records office.

If you find something amiss, notify the Register of Deeds and local law enforcement. Homeowners who suspect deed fraud are urged to act quickly. Get a certified copy of the fraudulent document, report the crime to the district attorney’s office, and consult an attorney.