Homeowners Can Protect Themselves From Title Fraud
Understanding how title fraud works and taking proactive steps can help safeguard your property.
Home title fraud, while not involving direct online hacking, poses a significant risk to homeowners. This type of fraud occurs when a criminal forges a signature on a deed or deceives a homeowner into signing over ownership, subsequently filing the falsified document with the local office responsible for property records. Your home is often your most substantial asset, making it a target for such illicit activities.
To combat this threat, homeowners can take several preventative measures. Checking property records, often available for free, and signing up for county-offered alerts can provide early warnings of suspicious activity. For those seeking more comprehensive protection, identity theft protection services can offer additional layers of security and assistance in recovering from fraud.
It's important to understand the limitations of these protections. While monitoring services can alert you to changes in public records, they cannot prevent fraudulent documents from being submitted. Additionally, services marketed as "title locks" do not equate to title insurance and do not legally secure a deed.
Understanding Title and Deed
The title to a property represents your legal ownership, while a deed is the document used to transfer that ownership. Local recording offices also maintain records of mortgages, liens, judgments, and easements, all of which can impact a property.
Performing an online records check can reveal recorded documents and serves as a useful fraud detection tool, but it is not a substitute for a professional title search or a legal guarantee against issues. For transactions like buying, selling, refinancing, or dealing with estates and trusts, consulting a licensed title professional or real estate attorney is advisable.
Steps to Check Property Records
Before beginning a property record check, gather essential information such as the property's full street address, the owner's name as it appears on the deed, co-owner details if applicable, and the property's parcel number (APN) from your tax bill. Avoid entering Social Security numbers on public property search pages; these searches typically rely on names, addresses, parcel numbers, or document numbers.
Finding the Correct Government Office
Begin by locating your county or local government's official website. Search for terms like "property records," "recorded documents," or "land records." The specific office name can vary, including County Recorder, Register of Deeds, or Clerk of Court. If an online search proves difficult, contact your county's property tax office for guidance on the correct department and its online search capabilities.
Accessing Recorded Document Searches
Once on the official recorder's website, look for options such as "Official Records Search," "Land Records," or "Grantor/Grantee Index." You may need to accept a disclaimer or create a free account. Be cautious of third-party sites that demand payment for basic searches; always confirm if they are officially linked to the government page first.
Searching for Your Property
Prioritize searching by property address, followed by parcel number (APN), and then owner name. If a trust or business owns the property, search its exact legal name as well. If initial searches yield no results, try widening the date range or using variations of names or spellings found on older documents.
Reviewing Documents
Carefully examine the deed from your property's last transfer. Ensure the address, legal description, and owner's name match your records. Then, scrutinize all subsequently recorded documents for any unrecognized ownership transfers, mortgages, liens, or financing changes. While unfamiliar entries require investigation, they may be legitimate, such as a mortgage release or a transfer into a trust. A signature that does not match yours on a property document is a significant red flag.
Setting Up Property Alerts
Many counties offer free property fraud alerts. Search the recording office's website for terms like "Property Fraud Alert" or "Owner Alert." If available, sign up using your full legal name, co-owner details, and parcel number. These alerts can notify you of documents recorded under your name or property, though their scope and accuracy can vary.
If your county does not provide alerts, establish a recurring reminder to review your property records annually. Unusual changes in property tax or utility bills might also indicate a change in contact or ownership information.
Additional Monitoring and Support
For a more extensive protective measure, consider an identity theft protection service that includes home title monitoring and recovery assistance. These services can track changes in property records, such as new lenders or ownership transfers, and may offer access to specialists who can help in the event of identity fraud. Always verify the specific features and limitations of any service before subscribing.
Securing Your Devices
While monitoring property records is crucial, it's equally important to protect the devices used to access them. Ensure your computer is equipped with strong, up-to-date antivirus software to defend against malware, phishing emails, and other online threats. Keep this protection active and updated on all devices used for sensitive information.
Action if Suspicious Documents are Found
If you discover a suspicious document, act promptly but verify information before concluding fraud has occurred. Avoid calling numbers from unsolicited communications; instead, use official government websites. Obtain full document details, contact lenders directly through trusted channels, and file a police report. Consulting a real estate attorney or a legal-aid organization is recommended for legal advice and dispute resolution. Report related identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
Regularly monitoring your credit and financial accounts in conjunction with property record checks provides a comprehensive approach to safeguarding your assets against fraud.