How to protect your home from Deed Fraud

<p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:30" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">
<p data-sourcepos="5:1-5:177" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Recently criminals have begun targeting home owners with something called "deed fraud."  This is where criminals illegally transfer ownership of your property without your knowledge or consent. <p data-sourcepos="7:1-7:288" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">In 2024, a local homeowner discovered that someone had fraudulently transferred ownership of his property. This incident serves as a reminder that deed fraud often happens without you knowing and can create huge problems for home owners.<p data-sourcepos="9:1-9:28" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Here's how deed fraud works:

Criminals obtain personal information: They often use public records, or even social engineering tactics, to gather your name, address, and property information. 

They forge documents: Using this information, they create fraudulent deeds, affidavits, and other legal documents to falsely claim ownership of your property. Register of Deeds do not require any "proof" of sale or transfer other than a new deed. 

They "squat" or lease the property: Using the fraudulent deed as proof of ownership, they may get tenants in the property which would require eviction to remove them. 

They sell or refinance your property: Once they establish fraudulent ownership, they can sell your property to an unsuspecting buyer or obtain a loan, leaving you with no property and facing significant legal battles to reclaim it. 

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">A simple way to protect yourself is to use <strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">new fraud guard services from your county register of deeds. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">In light of the growing threat, multiple counties have created alert services to proactively monitor property records for any activity involving your property, and/or name. If detected, you will be notified promptly. It's a simple, free way to be alerted of any fraudulent activity. <br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Here are links to FREE county Fraud Guard services. <br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><a data-mce-href="https://ncpropertynotification.org/Description?AgencyId=8" href="https://ncpropertynotification.org/Description?AgencyId=8" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Chatham County Fraud Alert<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><a data-mce-href="https://rodweb.dconc.gov/web/fraudGuard/disclaimerPage" href="https://rodweb.dconc.gov/web/fraudGuard/disclaimerPage" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Durham County Fraud Guard<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><a data-mce-href="https://www.harnett.org/deeds/?btid=4&bid=867#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20free%20service,(910)%20893%2D7540." href="https://www.harnett.org/deeds/?btid=4&bid=867#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20free%20service,(910)%20893%2D7540." style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Harnett County Fraud Detection Notification<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><a data-mce-href="https://www.johnstonnc.gov/rod/content.cfm?pageid=221#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20free%20service,.johnstonnc.gov%2Ffraudguard." href="https://www.johnstonnc.gov/rod/content.cfm?pageid=221#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20free%20service,.johnstonnc.gov%2Ffraudguard." style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Johnston County Fraud Guard<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><a data-mce-href="https://fraudalertme.com/ORANGENCNW/FRAUDDETECTION.ASP" href="https://fraudalertme.com/ORANGENCNW/FRAUDDETECTION.ASP" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Orange County Fraud Alert<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"=""><a data-mce-href="https://docalert.wakegov.com/" href="https://docalert.wakegov.com/" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">Wake County Deed Alert<br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">

<p data-sourcepos="22:1-22:136" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to deed fraud and safeguard your valuable property. If you suspect any fraudulent activity involving your property, contact the local police or county Sheriff's office immediately.<p data-sourcepos="22:1-22:136" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">If have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at 919 Realty Group about any real estate need or concern. <p data-sourcepos="24:1-24:10" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, " segoe="" ui",="" roboto,="" oxygen,="" ubuntu,="" cantarell,="" "open="" sans",="" "helvetica="" neue",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" medium;="" letter-spacing:="" normal;"="">