Title fraud rarely happens overnight without warning. Criminals make mistakes, leave traces, and often test their access to a property before executing the full fraud. Knowing what to watch for can give you days or weeks of lead time.
1. You Stop Receiving Mail About Your Property
One of the first things a deed thief does is redirect your mail. They may file a change of address with the post office so that property tax notices, mortgage statements, and lender correspondence go to them instead of you. If your property mail suddenly dries up, it is worth investigating.
2. You Get a Notice From a Title Company You Did Not Contact
If you receive communication from a title company, escrow service, or real estate attorney for a transaction you did not initiate, treat it as an emergency. This could mean someone is attempting to sell your home without your knowledge. Call the company directly using a number you find independently and do not call back any number provided in the notice itself.
3. Strangers Ask About Your Property
Deed thieves often target vacant or investment properties and will physically visit the property, speak to neighbors, or reach out under the guise of being interested buyers to gather information. Unusual inquiries from people you do not recognize can be a signal that someone is scoping your property.
4. Property Tax Bills Arrive in a Different Name
County assessor records are public and update when deeds are filed. If your property tax bill arrives addressed to someone else, or if you check your county assessor online and see a different name listed, this is a major red flag that a fraudulent deed may have already been recorded.
5. You Receive Notification of a Lien or Loan You Did Not Take Out
If a lender, collections agency, or court sends you a notice about a debt secured by your property that you have no knowledge of, act immediately. This could mean a fraudulent home equity loan has been taken out in your name against your home.
What to Do If You See a Warning Sign
Contact your county recorder's office to request a copy of any recent deed filings on your property. Contact a real estate attorney. File a report with local law enforcement. And if you are on a Plus plan with Home Title Alert, contact our fraud resolution specialists immediately. Time is the critical variable in title fraud recovery.
The best time to set up monitoring is before any of these signs appear. The second best time is now.