How to Check Your Home Title for Fraud: A Step-by-Step Guide

With property title fraud on the rise, homeowners must take proactive steps to protect their most valuable asset. Here's what you need to know.

**Lead**

Property title fraud — a scheme in which criminals forge deeds or other documents to transfer ownership of a home without the owner’s knowledge — has become an increasingly serious threat across the United States. While no national database tracks every incident, reports to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and alerts from county recorder offices indicate that the problem is growing, particularly as digital filing systems make it easier for bad actors to submit fraudulent documents. Homeowners who fail to monitor their property’s title risk discovering too late that their home has been sold, mortgaged, or encumbered without their consent. The good news: checking your home title for fraud is a straightforward process that can be done in a few hours, often at little or no cost.

**Context**

Title fraud typically works in one of two ways. In the first, a fraudster forges a quitclaim deed or warranty deed, files it with the county recorder or registrar of deeds, and then attempts to sell the property or take out a loan against it. In the second, the criminal uses stolen personal information — such as a Social Security number or driver’s license — to impersonate the owner and execute a fraudulent transfer. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned that older homeowners, those with paid-off mortgages, and owners of vacant or rental properties are especially vulnerable because they may not check their property records regularly.

County recorder offices across the country have reported spikes in suspicious filings. In 2023, for example, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office flagged hundreds of potentially fraudulent deeds, while similar alerts emerged from Cook County, Illinois, and Harris County, Texas. The FBI’s IC3 received more than 11,000 real estate fraud complaints in 2022, though that figure includes mortgage fraud and rental scams as well as title fraud. Law enforcement agencies emphasize that many cases go unreported because victims do not discover the fraud until they try to sell or refinance their home.

**Analysis**

The first and most critical step in protecting your home is to monitor your property’s title regularly. Homeowners can do this by visiting the website of their county recorder or registrar of deeds — most counties now offer free online property record searches. Simply enter your address or parcel number to view the chain of ownership, recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents. If you see any document you do not recognize — especially a quitclaim deed transferring ownership to a person or entity you have never heard of — that is a red flag.

A second layer of protection is to sign up for property fraud alert services. Many counties now offer free or low-cost notification systems that send an email or text message whenever a document is recorded against your property. For example, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s Office provides a free “Property Fraud Alert” program, and similar services exist in Maricopa County, Arizona; King County, Washington; and dozens of other jurisdictions. If your county does not offer such a service, you can use third-party monitoring platforms, though these often charge a monthly fee.

Beyond monitoring, homeowners should consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze on their property title. While not available in every state, some jurisdictions allow owners to file a “homestead declaration” or “notice of interest” that makes it harder for a fraudulent deed to be recorded without additional verification. In states like Florida and Texas, homestead protections already provide some safeguards, but they are not foolproof. Consulting with a real estate attorney or a title company can help you understand the specific options in your state.

**Sources**

- Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – 2022 Internet Crime Report - Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Alert: “Protect Your Home from Title Fraud” - Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk – Property Fraud Alert Program - Cook County, Illinois – Recorder of Deeds Fraud Prevention Resources - Harris County, Texas – Clerk’s Office Property Fraud Information - National Association of Realtors – “Title Fraud: What Homeowners Need to Know” (2023)