How Criminals Use Title Theft to Take People’s Homes

Real estate fraud accounted for $275 million in losses last year

Imagine suddenly losing your home—one you might have owned and lived in for decades—including all the equity you’ve built up over the years and perhaps even your life’s savings.

It can happen through a relatively rare phenomenon called deed fraud, also known as home title theft. The National Association of Realtors defines this scam as the illegal transfer of a property deed (a legal document outlining title ownership) without the owner’s knowledge or full consent. When the scheme involves a fraudster impersonating a homeowner, it’s a form of identity theft.

This type of fraud can generally be avoided by taking some basic precautions. When it does occur, however, it can be distressing for victims. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, the agency received more than 12,000 complaints last year regarding real estate fraud, resulting in $275 million in financial losses.

How the scam works

Fraudsters often use public records to target older homeowners—in fact, adults 50+ suffered the greatest amount of losses from real estate scams in 2025, totaling $46.4 million—or those who are at risk of foreclosure, tax judgments, utility shutoffs, or other legal or financial difficulties.

According to AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation, the types of properties most often targeted are vacant land, vacation homes, rental units, and homes with no mortgage, because scammers believe the records of these properties aren’t often checked by owners.

Criminals typically employ one of two tactics to steal a person’s home title:

Forgery and impersonation. This is the more common method. Scammers steal a homeowner’s identity through false documents and fake IDs, then illegally transfer property ownership to themselves or a third party. The forged deed is recorded with the local county register. (As long as the document meets all of the recording requirements, it’s considered valid.) Now the scammer can sell the home, borrow against its value, or rent it out and collect the proceeds. All of this can happen without the homeowner’s knowledge; in some cases it can take years to come to light. Complicating matters are AI deepfake technology and related AI tools, which have made it easier than ever for fraudsters to commit forgery and impersonate homeowners.

Persuasion or coercion. A fraudster might reach out to a homeowner with a fake offer of mortgage assistance or tax relief. Then they’ll pressure or intimidate them into rushing through the paperwork. Without having fully vetted the documents, the victim has unwittingly signed over their home’s title to the scammer.

Signs that you’ve been victimized by this scam include:

• Local authorities unexpectedly begin eviction proceedings against you.
• You see your home listed for sale without your consent.
• You try to sell your home and discover that the title has been transferred out of your name.
• If you own vacant property, you discover that the property has been developed.
• You receive communications about mortgage or home equity loans you don’t recognize.
• You receive official tax or property-related documents at your address in someone else’s name.
• You spot unusual changes in property tax notices or utility bills.

How to avoid deed fraud

More and more states and municipalities are fighting back against this crime. A few examples:

• A new California law notifies property owners when they’ve been targeted.
• A new Texas law provides restitution for property theft and establishes new penalties for deed fraud committed against older or disabled adults.
• New York City has created the Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention to help prevent title theft and strengthen enforcement against it.
• Ohio’s Cuyahoga County is creating a two-factor authentication system designed to help prevent forged property deeds.

The first lines of defense, however, are your own instincts and actions. Here are some tips on how to prevent your property from being illegally taken away.

Be extremely wary about out-of-the-blue solicitations. Criminals use public real estate records to target homeowners for the purpose of committing fraud. If someone contacts you unexpectedly regarding your home title or mortgage, do your homework to verify their identity and legitimacy before you engage with them. And even then, proceed with extreme caution.

Don’t sign anything without an attorney. Fraudsters will try to rush or coerce you into signing sketchy documents. Have a professional review any home-related documents before you enter into an agreement. If you can’t afford an attorney’s services, check with your local government for free or reduced-cost legal assistance.

Monitor your home title on a regular basis. Frequently check your county register for the status of your property, looking particularly for any new liens (legal claims on the property). Doing so can keep you aware of whether a fraudulent deed has been recorded, and can give you valuable time to act if there’s an issue.

Sign up for alerts. Many county records offices provide free systems to alert homeowners whenever there’s a new deed transaction posted for their address. Take advantage of this service if it’s offered in your county.

Consider getting owner’s title insurance. Be sure the policy includes protection against title fraud, which can help cover legal expenses should you become victimized.

What to do if you’ve experienced deed fraud

If the worst-case scenario happens and you’ve discovered your home’s title has been transferred to someone else without your consent, don’t panic. There are clear next steps available.

Have a real estate attorney file a quiet title action. This is a lawsuit meant to “quiet” a dispute regarding property ownership; it determines who rightfully owns the title. The attorney may also file for a lis pendens, which alerts potential property buyers and lenders that the property is involved in an active legal dispute regarding ownership. If you’re unable to pay for an attorney, check with your local government for free or reduced-cost legal services.

Contact your mortgage lender. Notify them of any fraud related to your title or mortgage account. And if you have a title insurance policy, file a claim immediately.

Notify the credit bureaus. Place credit alerts on your files and be sure to report any suspicious or unusual activity. Also consider a credit freeze, which makes it more difficult for anyone to open accounts using your personal information. Alternatively, consider a credit lock, which restricts access to your credit file and is easier to set up than a credit freeze. A credit lock is included for free in the IDX Complete Plan.

Immediately report the issue to the authorities. This includes local law enforcement, the office of your state’s attorney general, and potentially the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. If the fraud involves identity theft, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Again, title theft happens rarely. With the right protective measures in place, you should be able to safeguard the ownership of your home. And if you do lose your home’s title to a criminal, know that it’s not the end of the story. You’ve got resources to help get it back.