Homeowners can take steps to protect themselves from title fraud, a type of identity theft that involves altering property records to transfer ownership without the owner's knowledge or consent.
The risk of title fraud is not the same as hacking into an online account and changing the password. Instead, a criminal could forge the owner's signature on a deed or trick them into signing paperwork that transfers ownership, then file that document with the local office that maintains property records.
To check for potential title fraud, homeowners can review their property records themselves, often for free. Many counties offer free alerts when a document is recorded under the owner's name. Homeowners can also consider signing up for an identity theft protection service that includes home title monitoring and recovery support.
These services can watch county-record data for changes involving the property, such as ownership transfers, new lenders, or financing changes. However, it's essential to understand what the plan includes and what it can and cannot do. For example, a monitoring service can alert the owner when a change appears in the public record, but it cannot stop someone from submitting a fraudulent document in the first place.
Homeowners should also be aware that a "title lock" is not the same as title insurance and does not literally lock the deed. Homeowners can take several steps to protect themselves, including checking their property records regularly, reviewing all documents recorded after the original deed, and being cautious of unfamiliar entries.
If a homeowner suspects title fraud, they should contact the local recording office and report the issue. They should also consider seeking the help of a licensed title professional or real estate attorney.
In addition to monitoring property records, homeowners should also protect their devices from online threats such as phishing emails, malicious attachments, and malware. This can be done by using strong antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats.
Homeowners who are buying, selling, refinancing, or dealing with an estate, trust, or ownership dispute should use a licensed title professional or real estate attorney to ensure that all documents are properly executed and recorded.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
View original reporting →
