Homeowner Education

Learn the 4 P’s of spotting fraud: pretend, problem, pressure, and pay, plus practical ways homeowners can reduce risk and avoid common scams.

The 10-80-10 rule is a behavioral framework suggesting that a small minority will commit fraud whenever possible, most people are situational, and a small group will remain honest regardless of opportunity.

To protect land property from fraud, combine public-record monitoring (county/recorder alerts and periodic record checks), strong identity and document security, and a clear response plan for suspicious filings—then consider reputable title-related protections (like title insurance) and property-focused monitoring/assistance services (like HomeLock) based on your risk profile, especially for vacant land or out-of-state ownership.

To protect your property from fraud, monitor your county land records for unexpected deed or lien filings, lock down identity and mail pathways criminals use to impersonate owners, keep ownership documents organized, and act fast with your recorder’s office, law enforcement, and a real estate attorney if you spot suspicious activity.

A practical, experience-driven look at how home title fraud actually starts, why traditional protections fall short, and what real prevention looks like in today’s digital property landscape.

Home title monitoring services can help surface suspicious property-record activity, but they do not stop fraud by themselves. What matters is what the service monitors, how quickly it alerts you, and what support you get after a problem is found.

Title Lock is not inherently a waste of money, but its value depends on what a homeowner expects. If someone assumes it prevents title theft or replaces title insurance, it may feel overpriced. If the goal is basic monitoring alerts, it can provide limited awareness

The FTC has warned that products marketed as “home title lock insurance” are not title insurance and may not be insurance at all, often they’re monitoring services that notify you after something changes. (Federal Trade Commission, 2024)