"How Do I Protect Myself from Deed Theft?" (5 Critical Tips for Homeowners)

Deed theft is when someone illegally takes ownership of your property by forging documents and recording them with the county as if they legitimately owned your home.

It’s a form of real estate fraud that’s becoming alarmingly common across the U.S., leaving homeowners tangled in costly and stressful legal battles just to prove they still own their own house.

In many cases, homeowners discover the crime only after receiving foreclosure notices on loans they never took out — or after finding out their home was sold without their consent.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, real estate fraud losses totaled nearly $400 million in 2022, much of it tied to schemes like deed theft and mortgage fraud. (FBI IC3 Annual Report)

"How do I protect myself from deed theft? Learn 5 expert strategies to prevent title fraud, secure your property, and catch scams early."

How Do I Protect Myself from Deed Theft?

Protecting your property from deed theft is about layering smart safeguards, staying alert, and taking advantage of free and low-cost tools.

1. Regularly Check Your Property Records

Visit your county’s recorder or register of deeds website (or office) to see if any new documents have been filed against your property.

Many counties now offer free property notification systems that will email or text you if a deed or lien is filed.

Example: Cook County’s Property Fraud Alert

Example: NYC Department of Finance’s Property Alert

Even if you think your county doesn’t have a system, it’s worth checking — more are adding these protections every year.

2. Be Cautious with Personal and Property Data

Fraudsters often start by collecting seemingly harmless data: your mailing address, mortgage payoff details, or signatures from public documents.

Avoid sharing unnecessary information and shred sensitive mail.

3. Secure Your Mail and Monitor Your Credit

Deed theft sometimes follows identity theft.

Use locked mailboxes, sign up for Informed Delivery with USPS, and regularly review your credit reports for accounts tied to new mortgages or loans.

AnnualCreditReport.com offers free credit reports from all three bureaus.

4. Hire Trusted Professionals

Only work with licensed real estate agents, title companies, and attorneys.

Before signing any document, especially if solicited by mail or door-to-door, have it reviewed by someone you trust.

Scammers often pose as “foreclosure rescue specialists” or fast-cash investors.

5. Set Up Additional Monitoring Tools

While county alerts are great for after-recording detection, some property owners — especially those with second homes or rental properties — want even earlier warnings.

Services that monitor MLS listings or online real estate databases can alert you if your property is fraudulently listed for sale or rent before a deed ever gets filed.

This is particularly helpful in catching impersonation fraud, which can be an early step toward a fraudulent sale that then results in deed theft.

Why Deed Theft Is So Hard to Undo

Once a fraudulent deed is recorded, you technically no longer “own” your property on paper until you prove otherwise.

This means:

Legal costs: Hiring attorneys to initiate lawsuits and clear your title.

Time: Cases often take months or even years to resolve.

Stress & uncertainty: Especially if fraudulent loans or liens are placed on your home.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, fighting deed fraud is a “complex, expensive, and lengthy process” that can upend lives. (CFPB guide on deed fraud)

Resources for Learning More

FBI IC3 Annual Reports

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - Deed Fraud

American Land Title Association - Fraud Prevention

[Local county recorder’s website or property alert programs]

Questions & Answers

Q: Is deed theft the same as title theft?

A: Yes. Both terms describe the crime of transferring your ownership through fraudulent documents.

Q: Will title insurance protect me from deed theft?

A: Title insurance helps cover financial losses if a problem is uncovered, but it won’t actively prevent fraud. That’s why monitoring and early alerts are so important.

Q: What if I suspect someone filed a fake deed on my home?

A: Contact your county recorder immediately and speak to a real estate attorney. They can help you initiate the legal steps needed to restore your ownership.