Why Second Homes in North Carolina Are Prime Targets for Title Theft

If you own a second home or vacation property in North Carolina, there’s a growing threat you need to know about — title theft. Criminals are increasingly targeting absentee owners, especially those who live out of state or don’t monitor their property regularly. The result? Your home could be fraudulently sold or mortgaged without you even knowing.

Here’s why second homes are at risk — and how you can stop it before it happens.

Protecting your second home from title theft doesn’t have to be complicated.

1. Out-of-Sight = Easy Target

Unlike your primary residence, second homes are often unoccupied for weeks or even months at a time. That gives scammers the perfect window to forge documents, impersonate you, and file fraudulent claims with county offices.

In North Carolina, property records are public and accessible online — which means anyone can look up your deed, your name, and your property tax details in just a few clicks.

2. Scammers Love Unmonitored Listings

Once a fraudster forges ownership, they can list your property for sale or rent without your knowledge. And because you’re not physically there to see it, the scam can go undetected until it’s too late.

Some criminals even go as far as refinancing the property and pocketing the money — leaving the real owner to deal with the legal nightmare.

3. North Carolina’s Real Estate Boom Has Drawn National Attention

With NC cities like Asheville, Wilmington, and the Outer Banks growing in popularity, second homes in these regions have become more valuable — and more attractive to fraudsters. The more desirable your property, the more likely it is to be targeted.

4. What You Can Do Right Now

Protecting your second home from title theft doesn’t have to be complicated. Here's how to take action:

Monitor your property 24/7. Use a property fraud alert service like Leeza.io to detect suspicious listings or activity tied to your address.

Check with your county register of deeds periodically to ensure no unauthorized documents have been filed.

Secure your personal data. Scammers often piece together your identity through hacked emails, social media, and unsecured records.

Add a layer of legal protection. Consider a trust or LLC for ownership of investment properties.

5. How Leeza.io Protects You

Leeza.io is based in North Carolina and was created by real estate professionals who understand just how easy it is for a property to be fraudulently listed. Our platform monitors online and MLS listing platforms in real time, alerting you if your property ever shows up for sale or rent without your knowledge.

Whether you're a homeowner, an investor, or managing properties for your family — we’re your digital watchdog.

Don’t let criminals take what you’ve worked hard to earn.

Protect your second home today — Get Protection today.