Our goal isn't fear
It's Clarity
Title theft and owner impersonation aren't hypothetical threats. We've compiled the facts from the FBI, industry research, and real cases so you can understand the risk and make informed decisions.
Our goal isn't fear
It's Clarity
Title theft and owner impersonation aren't hypothetical threats. We've compiled the facts from the FBI, industry research, and real cases so you can understand the risk and make informed decisions.
Facts, not fear.
Numbers, not hype.
Data from the FBI, ALTA, and NAR.
Sources you can trust.
FBI reports a steady increase in quit claim deed fraud.
Fake notary credentials appear in 43% of fraud cases.
AI makes forged documents harder to spot.
County offices record deeds without verifying authenticity.
Of title insurance companies encountered at least one seller impersonation attempt in 2023 alone.
Increase in vacant land fraud cases over the past four years, according to FBI field office reports.
Reported losses from real estate fraud between 2019–2023, per the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
How Property Fraud Happens
It happens in four steps. Here's what to look for.
Research Phase
Fraudsters scan public records for targets; any property with accessible ownership details. While vacant land and non-owner-occupied homes are common targets, no property type is immune.
Impersonation
Using personal data gathered from public sources, they create fake IDs and forge documents to pose as the legitimate owner. AI tools now make this alarmingly convincing.
Recording
A forged deed is filed with the county recorder's office. Most offices record documents without verifying authenticity. Their role is ministerial, not investigative.
Extraction
Once on record as "owner," the fraudster lists the property for sale, takes out loans against it, or collects rent. By the time anyone notices, the money is usually gone.
Two-Factor Authentication for Your Home
Your property stays locked unless you approve it. Anyone can check its status. Only you can move it forward.
Locked by default
Owner-approved only
How AI Has Changed
the Game
The rise of generative AI has fundamentally altered the fraud landscape. The traditional red flags that once helped identify scams such asawkward phrasing, grammatical errors, and obviously fake documents are disappearing.
Voice Cloning
A scammer cloned a real attorney's voice to convince a homebuyer to wire a six-figure deposit to a fraudulent account.
Deepfake Video
A deepfake video of a supposed homeowner fooled a title company and buyer during the sale of a multi-million dollar estate.
Document Forgery
AI-enhanced document creation has made forged deeds, notary stamps, and identification nearly indistinguishable from legitimate versions.
"The voice? AI-generated.
The email? Crafted using
stolen data.
The money? Gone."
— A Closinglock white paper, cited by the American Land Title Association
Real Cases, Real Risks
These aren't hypothetical scenarios. Here are documented cases from FBI reports and court records that illustrate how property fraud actually unfolds.
Why Traditional Safeguards Fall Short
You might assume that existing systems would catch this kind of fraud. Unfortunately, there are significant gaps in how property records are handled:
Recording Offices Don't Verify
County recorders have a ministerial role—they file documents, not authenticate them. A forged deed can be recorded without any verification of its legitimacy.
Remote Closings Reduced Oversight
The shift to remote transactions during COVID-19 eliminated many in-person verification steps. The FBI notes this "is a benefit to bad actors."
Title Insurance Is Reactive
Title insurance protects you financially after fraud is discovered. It doesn't prevent the fraud from happening or alert you when it occurs.
Free Alerts Have Limits
Many counties offer property fraud alerts, but they only notify you after a document is recorded—by which point the damage may already be done.
Modern Fraud Is Different. So Are We.
AI impersonation, forged documents, and synthetic identities can fool anyone, except you, when every action requires your verified approval.
