Title Fraud Is Increasing: How Homeowners Are Being Targeted and What to Do About It

Technology has made buying and selling homes faster than ever, but it has also created new opportunities for criminals. One of the fastest-growing real estate crimes today is title fraud, sometimes called home title theft. Many homeowners don’t realize this risk exists until they are already dealing with financial and legal fallout.

Understanding how title fraud works and how to reduce your exposure can help protect one of your most valuable assets: your home.

How title fraud actually works

Title fraud occurs when a criminal falsely claims ownership of a property by submitting forged documents to public records. These documents may appear legitimate on the surface, but they are built on stolen or fabricated identities.

Once the paperwork is recorded, the fraudster may try to:

• Borrow against the home using fraudulent loans
• Transfer or sell the property to an unsuspecting buyer
• Create liens that complicate future transactions

Because property records are public, criminals often operate without direct contact with the homeowner, which makes detection harder.

Why this crime is becoming more common

Several trends have made title fraud easier to commit and harder to catch early:

• Online access to property records has expanded
• Digital signatures and remote transactions are widely accepted
• Identity theft techniques have become more sophisticated
• Many homeowners no longer receive paper notices regularly

These factors create opportunities for fraudsters to move quickly before anyone notices something is wrong.

Homes that tend to be targeted

While any property can be affected, certain situations increase risk:

• Homes with no mortgage balance
• Rental properties or vacant homes
• Properties owned by out-of-area owners
• Owners who recently changed addresses
• Multiple-property portfolios

When a property appears inactive or lightly monitored, it becomes a more attractive target.

Early warning signs homeowners often miss

Title fraud rarely announces itself clearly, but subtle signals may appear:

• Unexpected mail from lenders or county offices
• Notices about loans you never applied for
• Missing tax bills or insurance statements
• Sudden changes on your credit report
• Alerts about recorded documents you didn’t sign

Catching these signs early can significantly reduce damage.

Practical ways to reduce your risk

While no system is perfect, homeowners can take meaningful steps to stay protected:

• Sign up for county property or title alerts
• Review credit reports on a consistent schedule
• Keep mailing addresses current across all records
• Open and review official notices carefully
• Work with real estate professionals who understand title activity
• Consider title monitoring or protection services for added oversight

Awareness and consistency are your strongest defenses.

Why prevention matters more than cleanup

Resolving title fraud after the fact can involve attorneys, courts, lenders, and months of stress. Even when ownership is restored, the process is rarely simple or inexpensive.

Preventive monitoring helps ensure that problems are caught before loans are funded or sales are attempted, which dramatically limits risk.

Final thoughts

Title fraud is not just a hypothetical threat. It is a real and growing issue affecting homeowners nationwide. Staying informed, monitoring your property records, and acting quickly when something looks off can make all the difference.

If you have questions about your property’s title status or want guidance on how to check for unusual activity, don’t wait until there’s a problem.

Reach out today and take control of your home’s protection.

📲 Call or text Uriel Resendiz at (818) 940-5530
📧 Email: [email protected]