Protect Your Home From Title Theft 

Protect Your Home From Title Theft

Your home especially if you are living here in Southern California is one of if not the most significant investments. You may have heard about title theft. This type of theft occurs when someone fraudulently gains access to your property's title and uses it to take out a mortgage or sell the property without your knowledge or consent. While it may seem like an unlikely scenario, title theft is becoming increasingly common.

According to the FBI, title theft is one of the fastest-growing white-collar crimes in the country. The FBI estimates that it causes around $1 billion in losses each year. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to detect, as the thieves often use sophisticated tactics to gain access to your title.

According to Patrick Ojeil deputy district attorney in charge of real estate fraud in San Diego County most of the time title theft is perpetrated by someone who knows the victim, such as a neighbor, caregiver, or an acquaintance, but not always. 

How to Prevent Home Title Theft

1. Check Your Title Regularly - Use San Diego's Owner Alert
2. Get Title Insurance- you probably already have it
3. Keep track of Bills and Homeowner Mail
4. Be Cautious With Your Personal Information
5. Check Your Credit Report Routinely
6. Educate Yourself

To help with #1 Check Your Title Regularly 

San Diego has created a FREE solution called Owner Alert. 

OWNER ALERT is a FREE REAL ESTATE FRAUD NOTICE SERVICE from the County of San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.

The service sends an immediate email notification to subscribed property owners anytime a document is recorded with our office transferring title to your property.

What Can Be Monitored

• Individual Name
• Business Name
• APN

Subscribe to Owner Alert  https://arccprn.sandiegocounty.gov/Subscribe

What do I need to sign up:

• Your Email Address
• Your Name    
• Optional - Assessor Parcel Number (APN):  find it on your property tax bill (highlighted in yellow) or use the ParcelQuest look-up tool or I can provide it for you.   

Things to keep in mind:

• This service only applied to documents recorded after your registration has been activated. To ensure it hasn't already happened Search the County of San Diego Official Records Index from 1970 to present. 
• Not all APNs and names are entered in the Official Records Index. Learn more about document types and their indexed fields.

If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, contact the District Attorney's Office - Real Estate Fraud Unit.

Title theft is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for homeowners. By taking the steps outlined above, you can protect your house from title theft and ensure that you retain ownership of your property. Stay vigilant and be proactive to safeguard your most valuable investment.