Quick Answer
Deed fraud — also known as title fraud or home title theft — happens when criminals use forged documents to falsely transfer ownership of your property or take out loans in your name. Homeowners can protect themselves by regularly monitoring public property records, signing up for fraud alerts, and taking proactive steps to detect unauthorized changes as early as possible.
Table of Contents
Deed fraud — sometimes called title fraud or home title theft — is a growing threat to homeowners in the United States, involving scammers who forge documents and illegally transfer property ownership without the real owner’s knowledge or consent. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned that quitclaim deed fraud and related title scams are on the rise, with fraudsters combing public records for targets like mortgage-free or vacant properties and using forged signatures or stolen identities to file fraudulent deeds that give them control of the home. Victims often don’t discover the fraud until they receive unexpected deeds, tax forms, foreclosure notices, or mortgage statements — making vigilance, record monitoring, and early alerts essential tools in defending your property against deed fraud.
What is Title and Deed Fraud?
When you buy a home, you’ll receive a deed which is an official legal document used to transfer ownership rights of a property or asset between two people. A title is an additional document that serves as evidence and recognition as to those ownership rights, similar to a receipt or proof of purchase for your home. Title and deed fraud occurs when a criminal steals your home right out from under you by using unscrupulous tactics. Think it can’t happen to you? Property fraud has increased by a whopping 6,134% in five years! Besides the real possibility of losing your forever home forever, the legal fees alone could be insurmountable.
What Can Go Wrong With Your Home?
Anything and everything can undermine the investment you have in your home, especially when it comes to criminals who are willing to do whatever it takes to take possession of your property, many times without you even knowing it. How does this happen? Title theft occurs when a thief assumes your identity, then uses the false identity to remove your name from the title and replace it with their own, giving them complete control over your home. The fraudster can then obtain a mortgage, take out existing equity, and/or sell your home outright, many times without you even knowing it until it’s too late. Who knew?
Who’s at Risk For Title and Deed Fraud?
Title and deed fraud can happen to anyone who owns a home. Thieves don’t care if you’re a first-time homeowner or if you have an investment property, they just want the financial payoff in the end. The most vulnerable targets are those that are unaware. Vacation homes are easy targets for title and deed fraud as the homes are generally vacant with absentee owners who may be more focused on their primary homes. Seniors represent a huge target market for property thieves as they may not be as tech-savvy, plus a report from ATTOM Data Solutions states 34% of American homeowners have 100% equity in their homes which is the case with many seniors. The built-up equity in these no-mortgage homes is just waiting to be tapped into by would-be thieves. The same goes for investment and non-owner occupied rental properties as title fraud can unfortunately occur at any time to any homeowner.
Why HomeLock™?
HomeLock™ continuously monitors and protects your property from title and deed fraud by scouring registries and records. If any nefarious activity is detected, you’ll receive an immediate alert from our HomeLock™ Title And Deed Protection Team identifying the changes including information on the data and the source of the potential fraud incident. We’ll then provide the support you need to address the alert. HomeLock™ is cost-effective at half the price while offering 5x the monitoring of any other system available.
HomeLock™ Isn’t Just For Title and Deed Fraud
Our DomiDocs® HomeLock™ monitoring is not only for title and deed fraud but also for anything that can go wrong along your homeowner journey including scenarios such as a clerical error at the county level, a missed HOA payment, or even an unpaid tax bill. DomiDocs is here to help!
Added Bonuses with HomeLock™!
When you secure your home by signing up for HomeLock™, you’ll also receive a valuable 7-year property report detailing the history of your home. Our DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® is always included with HomeLock™ where you’ll find functional tools designed to help you manage your home finances and keep your documents organized, as well as by providing current market value tracking and service provider information.
Take Control of Your Homeownership Journey with DomiDocs®
Managing your home shouldn’t be stressful. DomiDocs® empowers homeowners with innovative technology, expert guidance, and unparalleled organization—all within a secure, cloud-based platform. From protecting your property and finances to streamlining essential tasks, our tools help you save time, reduce expenses, mitigate costly risks, and maximize your home’s value.
Explore the DomiDocs® suite of solutions:
- Homeowner Enablement Platform® – A centralized, digital hub for organizing documents, tracking home value, and managing property details effortlessly.
- HomeLock™ – Protects your home from fraud and title theft with 24/7 monitoring and instant alerts.
- TrueValueIndex® – Provides real-time insights into your home’s value to help you make informed financial decisions.
- propRtax® – Identifies potential property tax savings and ensures you’re not overpaying.
- Documenting for Disaster® – Securely stores critical homeownership documents, ensuring quick access before and after a disaster.
Join the home management revolution today and experience the confidence that comes with having everything you need in one place.
FAQ
What Is Deed Fraud
Deed fraud occurs when someone uses forged documents or stolen identity information to illegally transfer ownership of a property without the homeowner’s knowledge or consent.
How Does Deed Fraud Typically Happen
Scammers often obtain publicly available property records, forge signatures on deeds or quitclaim deeds, and file them with the county recorder to make it appear as though ownership has changed.
Who Is Most At Risk For Deed Fraud
Homeowners with fully paid-off homes, seniors, owners of vacant or rental properties, and absentee homeowners are often targeted because fraudulent changes may go unnoticed for longer periods.
Is Deed Fraud A Growing Problem In The United States
Yes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned that quitclaim deed fraud and related real estate scams are increasing across multiple states, resulting in significant financial and legal consequences for victims.
What Are Common Warning Signs Of Deed Fraud
Unexpected mail about loans, liens, or foreclosure, changes in property tax notices, difficulty selling or refinancing a home, or discovering unfamiliar names on property records can all signal possible deed fraud.
Does Title Insurance Prevent Deed Fraud After Purchase
Title insurance generally protects against defects that existed before or during the home purchase. It does not actively monitor or prevent fraudulent activity that occurs after ownership is established.
How Can Homeowners Reduce The Risk Of Deed Fraud
Regularly reviewing public property records, safeguarding personal information, responding quickly to unusual notices, and setting up alerts for record changes can help detect fraud early.
What Should A Homeowner Do If Deed Fraud Is Suspected
Homeowners should immediately contact their county recorder’s office, consult a real estate attorney, notify lenders if applicable, and report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center to begin the recovery process.