5 Warning Signs of Home Title Theft You Can’t Ignore
Home title theft, or deed fraud, is a crime where a thief steals the legal ownership of your home. Because this happens silently in county records offices, homeowners are often unaware until long after the damage is done. However, there are several red flags that can signal you have become a victim. If you notice any of these five warning signs, you must take immediate action.
1. You Receive a Notice of Foreclosure
This is the most alarming sign. You receive a letter from a lender you don’t recognize, stating that your home is in foreclosure for non-payment on a loan you never took out. This means a thief has likely used your home as collateral to get a large loan and then absconded with the cash.
2. You Stop Receiving Your Property Tax Bills
If your quarterly or annual property tax bill suddenly stops arriving in the mail, do not assume it’s a lucky mistake. Criminals often change the mailing address associated with the property to their own address. This prevents you from seeing new bills or official notices, buying them time to carry out their scheme.
3. You Receive Bills for Unfamiliar Accounts
You begin receiving utility bills or mortgage statements in your name for accounts or properties you do not own. This is a sign that an identity thief has your personal information and is using it to open fraudulent accounts, and your home’s title could be their next target.
4. You Discover a Lien on Your Property
You attempt to sell your home or refinance your mortgage and a title search reveals an unexpected lien against your property. This could be from a contractor you’ve never met or a lender you’ve never borrowed from, indicating a fraudulent claim has been filed against your home’s equity.
5. You Find Signs of Activity at a Vacant Property
If you own a second home, a rental, or a vacant property, you may find evidence that someone is living there, or you may see it listed for rent or sale online without your permission. Thieves often target properties that are not primary residences.
Why DomiDocs is the Best Choice for Protection
These warning signs are what you discover after the fraud has already begun. They are reactive measures. True protection must be proactive.
The DomiDocs Home Title Monitoring service is your 24/7 proactive defense. We continuously scan property records and provide an instant alert the moment a new document is filed against your property. This means you find out about the fraudulent filing at the beginning of the crime, not months later when a foreclosure notice arrives. By providing this crucial early warning, DomiDocs allows you to stop the crime before catastrophic financial damage occurs.
HomeLock™ is the one Property Fraud Protection service that CAN notify you before, during, and immediately after fraud occurs. If more homeowners had HomeLock™, we wouldn’t see so many scammers like this husband and wife who have defrauded dozens of homeowners!
See how DomiDocs and HomeLock™ can protect your home in this Press Release! This layered approach protects both your legal ownership and your financial identity. For more information, read our article on how HomeLock™ can protect you from Title and Deed Fraud.