When you think about protecting your home, you probably think about homeowner’s insurance, security systems, or keeping up with maintenance.
Title fraud probably isn’t on that list.
The truth is, while it’s not something that happens every day, title fraud is real—and it’s something every homeowner should know about. At Heights Title, helping protect your investment starts long before closing day. That’s why we take the time to carefully research every property’s history and make sure potential issues are addressed before ownership changes hands.
What Is Title Fraud?
Title fraud happens when someone illegally uses your identity or forges documents to make it look like they own your property—or to borrow money against it.
In some cases, criminals create fake deeds. In others, they use stolen personal information to file fraudulent paperwork or take out loans using the home’s equity.
Because these documents become part of the public record, homeowners often don’t realize anything is wrong until much later. That’s one of the reasons Heights Title performs a thorough title search before every closing. Our job is to uncover issues that could affect ownership so buyers can move forward with confidence.
How Would You Know?
That’s what makes title fraud so frustrating.
There usually isn’t someone knocking on your door to tell you it’s happened. Many homeowners only discover a problem when they try to sell their home, refinance, or receive mail that doesn’t make sense.
A few things to watch for include:
- Mortgage or loan statements you weren’t expecting.
- Property tax notices that suddenly stop showing up.
- Mail about ownership changes or liens you don’t recognize.
- Unexpected collection notices tied to your property.
If something feels off, don’t ignore it. At Heights Title, we always encourage homeowners to ask questions if something doesn’t seem right. It’s always better to investigate early than wait until a small issue becomes a much bigger one.
What Can You Do?
While there’s no way to completely eliminate the risk of title fraud, there are a few simple habits that can help.
Check your property’s public records every once in a while if your county makes them available online. Keep an eye on your credit, protect your personal information, and be cautious about emails or phone calls asking for sensitive information.
Some counties also offer free property fraud alerts that notify you anytime a document is recorded under your name. If your county offers that service, it’s worth signing up.
Where Does Title Insurance Come In?
Another common question we hear at Heights Title is whether title insurance protects against title fraud.
Owner’s title insurance helps protect homeowners against covered title issues that existed before they purchased the property, such as undiscovered liens, recording errors, or ownership disputes.
While it isn’t designed to prevent every type of future fraud, it provides valuable protection if issues from the property’s past come to light after closing. If you ever have questions about your policy, our team is happy to walk you through what it covers.
Why Your Title Company Matters
A title company does much more than prepare paperwork for closing.
Before you ever sign the final documents, the Heights Title team is reviewing public records, researching ownership history, resolving title issues, and coordinating with everyone involved to help ensure a smooth closing.
As Shannon Anderson explains:
“We spend a lot of time and we take a lot of pride in the work that we do… just to make sure that we get it all done correctly.”
That attention to detail is one of the ways we help protect buyers before they ever receive the keys.
Peace of Mind Starts with Preparation
Most homeowners will never experience title fraud—but understanding the risks and knowing what to watch for can give you greater peace of mind.
At Heights Title, we’re committed to making every closing as smooth and secure as possible. From researching your property’s history to answering your questions along the way, we’re here to help protect one of your biggest investments before, during, and after closing.