08/25/2026
Can someone steal your home?
Real estate fraud, including deed or title theft, caused an estimated $275 million in losses in 2025, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report. More than 12,000 complaints were reported. While relatively uncommon, deed fraud can be devastating because criminals may attempt to take ownership of a home and access the equity a homeowner has built over many years.
How Deed Fraud Works
Deed fraud occurs when someone illegally transfers ownership of a property without the owner's knowledge or consent. Two common methods are:
• Forgery and impersonation: Criminals use stolen personal information, fake identification or forged documents to transfer a property into their name or someone else's name. They may then sell, refinance or rent the property.
• Persuasion or coercion: Scammers pose as mortgage, tax-relief or financial assistance providers and pressure homeowners into signing documents that actually transfer ownership.
Older homeowners, vacant properties, rental homes, vacation properties and mortgage-free homes can be attractive targets. Advances in artificial intelligence and deepfake technology may also make impersonation and document fraud more convincing.
Warning Signs
Be alert if you:
• Receive unexpected mortgage, home-equity or property-related correspondence.
• Discover your home has been listed for sale without your permission.
• Find unfamiliar liens or changes in your property records.
• Receive tax or utility documents showing someone else's name.
• Learn that your property title has been transferred.
• Face unexpected eviction proceedings.
Protect Yourself
1. Be cautious of unsolicited offers.
Never assume that an unexpected call, letter or email concerning your property is legitimate. Independently verify the person or company.
2. Don't sign documents under pressure.
Have an attorney review important property documents before signing—especially anything involving your deed, mortgage, equity or ownership.
3. Monitor your property records.
Periodically check your county's property records for unexpected deeds, liens or other changes.
4. Sign up for property alerts.
If your county offers free notifications when documents are recorded against your property, enroll in the service.
5. Review your title insurance coverage.
Check with your title insurance provider to understand whether your policy provides protection related to title fraud.
If You Suspect Deed Fraud
Act quickly. Contact a real estate attorney who can determine the appropriate legal action, which may include a quiet title lawsuit to establish the rightful owner. Notify your mortgage lender and title insurance company immediately.
Summary from an IDX article
