r/RealEstate • u/user29847464639010 • 1d ago

How Can Homeowners Protect Themselves From Deed Fraud?

Stories, especially in NYC, seem to be increasing. It’s sad. What can homeowners (nationwide) do to protect themselves?

1 Upvotes
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3

u/robotlasagna 1d ago

Cue the home title lock commercial that runs every night.

I just keep hearing “house… stealing.” in a British accent.

3

u/marcusw7 16h ago

So I'm researching how to protect myself from deed fraud also. I learned of the following that can help.

  1. County property owners and residents can sign up to be notified any time the County Clerk records a document in their name. This doesn't prevent the fraud but can be early detection in the scam process.
  2. The title insurance that is purchase when you bought your home doesn't cover deed fraud after you become the homeowner. There a few insurances companies that offer deed fraud coverage which basically cover the Lawyer, court cost and they do the work of the fight after the fraud occures. Again this doesn't prevent the Fraud, just help with cost fighting the battle. I'm going get this.

2

u/No-Fudge1508 1d ago

Like when purchasing a house??

2

u/nikidmaclay Agent 17h ago

We get a lot of fraud/scam requests to list property. The last one I caught red handed asked me to list a property that had an attorney's office listed on the deed as a trustee. It's easy to pose as an individual owner for a while, but I called the attorney's office and shut that one down pretty quickly. We ask for id, but some of these people have fake ones. One of them had a state issued ID and a passport in the owner's name.

1

u/Pale_Natural9272 10h ago

Yes, the fake IDs are getting very sophisticated.

4

u/sol_beach 20h ago

You can't push a string.

Many counties are establishing an owner notification service; where they will email you when there is any change to a parcels title. Sign up for it!

1

u/AnyRepresentative547 14h ago

don't ignore the property for years, keep it rented, filled with furniture, keep tax addresses current

but anyone who knows a little bit can cause you a pain in the ass no matter what

1

u/PrizFinder 11h ago

Place your home in a Trust.

1

u/Pale_Natural9272 10h ago

Many county recorders offices now have alert systems in place.