Home title theft is a type of crime that involves stealing legal rights to property, such as your home. This can happen when someone steals your identity and uses it to fraudulently grab the title to your property. It is a growing problem that can have devastating effects on homeowners and their financial well-being.
Here’s more information on how home titles are stolen, what warning signs to look out for, and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.
How to steal a home title?
Stealing the title of the house It is the act of stealing the title of the house from its rightful owners. This can happen in a variety of ways, but it usually involves someone who has access to your personal information or property.
Title thieves use fake documents to change the title information of your property. They may even forge a deed and record it at the county clerk’s office.
Thieves can request copies of your documents from the county clerk’s office and use them to commit fraud in a number of ways. They can sell or refinance your home and keep the income for themselves. They can withdraw funds from your account by passing their name as yours Mortgage Payments or other bills.
How common is home title theft?
Home title theft is a problem that many people don’t think about until it’s too late. But the truth is that this type of fraud is incredibly common, and it affects homeowners around the world.
In fact, home title theft in 2020 caused $ 547 million in losses, according to the Journal of World Economic Research.
These numbers show how widespread this type of fraud has become in recent years, especially as more and more people have access to online records and documents that could be used for fraudulent purposes.
What are the warning signs for stealing home titles?
While warning signs are easy to ignore, it’s important to pay attention to them so you can take steps to protect yourself and your family. Here are some common warning signs of home title theft.
Unpaid bills
If you get an unpaid bill, or your bill stops coming in, it could be a sign that someone has occupied your home title.
Signs of unspoken home activity
If there is any activity going on in your empty home, it can be a cause for concern. Home title thieves often target empty homes because they are easier targets than occupants.
Notice of foreclosure
If you get a notice Foreclosure, It could mean that someone unknowingly took a mortgage on your home This could be another sign of home title theft.
5 tips to protect yourself from home title theft
Home title theft is on the rise, and it could happen to you if you are not careful. Here are five tips to protect yourself from home title theft.
1. Beware of suspicious emails.
If you receive an email that appears to be from your real estate agent or title company, but it asks for personal information such as an account number or social security number, do not reply.
2. Check your credit report regularly.
Make sure there are no errors in your credit report that could lead to identity theft. To help monitor your identity and credit, consider signing up for an identity theft and credit protection plan.
3. Protect your important documents.
Keep copies of all documents in a safe place and make sure you have access to them whenever needed. This includes things like your home deed and other paperwork related to ownership.
4. Physically monitor additional features.
If you have any additional property (such as a second home or rental property), it is important to visit them regularly. That way, if something seems suspicious, you can find out about it right away.
5. Get title insurance.
Make sure you have title insurance that protects you from any problems with property title.
These tips can help you prevent damage to your home. However, no matter what security measures homeowners take, the risk of property theft still exists. By familiarizing yourself with the warning signs listed above and applying the prevention tips provided, you can significantly help reduce the likelihood of home title theft.
