Welcome to stopfraud.info

Once title fraud occurs, undoing it is difficult, expensive and stressful.

That’s why:

Better verification matters

Stronger deed protections matter

Laws that stop fraud before recording matter

Homebuyers are often targeted because:

Their information is temporarily in motion

Multiple documents are being signed

Ownership records are actively changing

Timing matters — and awareness matters even more.

Understanding the threat — without the legal jargon

Title fraud doesn’t involve broken windows or stolen keys.
It happens quietly, through paperwork — often without the homeowner or buyer knowing until it’s too late.

This page explains how it happens, who is at risk and why timing matters.

🧾 STEP 1: A FORGED DEED IS CREATED

Title fraud starts with a document that looks legitimate.

A criminal:

Forges a homeowner’s signature and/or 

Uses a fake or misused notary stamp and signature 

Creates a fraudulent deed transferring ownership

These documents appear authentic, (even to professionals who are trained to spot fraud)

No break-in. No confrontation. Just paperwork.

🏛️ STEP 2: THE FRAUDULENT DEED IS RECORDED

Once the fake deed is created, it’s recorded — just like a real one.

The deed is entered into public records

The ownership change appears legitimate

The fraud is now part of the official system

At this point, the criminal legally “owns” the property.

🏠 STEP 3: OWNERSHIP IS ABUSED OR SOLD

After the fraudulent deed is recorded, the damage escalates.

The criminal may:

Take out loans against the property

Rent the home to unsuspecting tenants

Sell the home to a victim buyer

Trigger foreclosure or tax issues
 

In many cases, the real owner is still living in the home — unaware anything has changed.

⚠️ REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES (NAMES REMOVED)

Title fraud doesn’t just happen “somewhere else.” It happens in Kansas. 

A homeowner discovering their house was sold after missing a property tax notice

A buyer finding out ownership was disputed months after closing

Families learning their home was used as collateral for a loan they never approved

These cases often take years and significant legal costs to resolve — if they can be resolved at all.

🕰️ THIS CAN HAPPEN AFTER A HOME PURCHASE

Many people assume title fraud only affects long-time homeowners.
That’s not true.

It can happen:

Shortly after a purchase or

Years later, when attention is low

Education helps — but prevention stops the damage.

👉 WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT

Now that you know how title fraud works:

Learn how to protect yourself

Ask the right questions when buying a home

Support strong title fraud protections like Self-Imposed Biometric Liens. 

Take action so fewer families become victims