Real Stories of
Deed Theft and Fraud

EquityProtect Stops Elder Fraud Scheme in Ohio

October 1, 2025

An elderly Columbus homeowner nearly lost his property equity to a scammer who convinced him to apply for a reverse mortgage. The fraud was stopped only because the victim's daughter had used her Power of Attorney to enroll the property in EquityProtect's SmartPolicy technology, which locked the title and required authorization from the lawful owner. When the lender sought approval, EquityProtect contacted the daughter, who had been unaware of her father's attempted mortgage application. The case highlights the growing threat of financial crimes targeting seniors—the FBI reported $4.88 billion in losses from elder fraud in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year. Unlike monitoring services that only alert victims after fraud occurs, EquityProtect's preventative technology stopped the crime before it happened.

Grief Disrupted by Fraud in Palm Beach County, Florida

September 22, 2025

Source: Cara Elizabeth Kovacs, for The Washington Post

While grieving her father's death, a daughter became the victim of deed fraud when a stranger tried to steal her father's condo. The case showed how vulnerable properties become during estate transitions, especially without proper planning. Emotions run high. Paperwork can be overwhelming. Scammers know when to strike. This deeply personal account reveals what happens when loss collides with legal complexity.

Broker Stops Three Theft Attempts in New York

August 22, 2025

Source: Brett Davidsen, for News10NBC

A small independent broker in New York's Finger Lakes region has stopped three separate deed theft attempts. Scammers posed as out-of-state property owners and made excuses to avoid meeting in person. In one case, a buyer discovered thieves had fraudulently listed his own property for sale. If three fraud attempts reached a single small broker's office, the true scale of these crimes may be far larger than anyone realizes.

Texas Owner's Property Sold Without His Knowledge

August 21, 2025

Source: Brett Davidsen, for News10NBC

A Texas man owns land in Wayne County, New York. Or he did, anyway, until someone used a fake driver's license to impersonate him. The thief listed and sold his property for $35,000. The money was wired overseas. Now the victim faces a long court process to restore his title. The case shows what happens when property owners who live far from their land can become easy targets for this type of fraud.

Connecticut Man Shocked by Unauthorized Construction

August 4, 2024

Source: Maria Sole Campinoti and Elizabeth Wolfe, for CNN

A Connecticut man was shocked to discover a $1.5 million house being built on his vacant land without his knowledge. The parcel was fraudulently sold using forged documents. This case highlights the growing threat of sophisticated real estate scams and the need for stronger safeguards in property transfers.

Retiree Fights to Reclaim Oregon Property

March 27, 2024

Source: Nigel Jaquiss, for Willamette Week

A retiree in California nearly lost his childhood home in Oregon to a brazen deed theft scam after a stranger changed the locks and filed a forged deed claiming he purchased the house for less than half its market value, putting him in a position to quickly sell or mortgage the property. The victim is working to legally restore his title.

Property Theft Scheme Uncovered in Detroit

February 8, 2024

Source: United States Department of Justice (DOJ)

A woman in Detroit has been charged with orchestrating a scheme that stole more than 30 properties from low-income residents facing potential tax foreclosure. She allegedly conspired with others to file fraudulent quitclaim deeds transferring ownership to fake "interim owners" before selling the houses to unsuspecting buyers.

Georgia Case Exposes Vulnerability to Property Theft

January 16, 2024

Source: Clara Cummings, for ANF

In Georgia, a homeowner's case highlights the shocking ease of deed theft and wrongful foreclosure. Fraudsters allegedly forged documents to secretly sell his house at auction. Experts blame lax oversight, lack of ID verification for deed filing, and Georgia's "non-judicial" system that only involves courts after the fact.

Forged Documents in Florida Home Theft

December 21, 2023

Source: Karla Ray, for WFTV

A Florida family discovered their deceased father's home had been stolen via a forged quitclaim deed transferred to a suspicious company while he was battling cancer. This deed fraud scam, which exploits lax recording requirements, is increasingly common and costly to undo, experts warn.

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Disclaimer:
Equity Protect acknowledges that some advertised services may exaggerate the threat of deed and title fraud. Our aim is to provide accurate information about the evolving risks of seller impersonation and deed fraud. While it is true that the overall incidence of home title theft is relatively low, certain factors can increase the likelihood of a property owner becoming a victim of seller impersonation and deed fraud. Our data suggests that while 25% of people nationwide may be at high risk for title fraud, among our premium users, 1 in 11 have faced actual fraud attempts, with all affected properties (excluding family disputes) classified as high-risk. The risk assessment offered is based on current fraud attempts, evolving tactics, and statistics from reputable sources such as the American Land Title Association (ALTA), which recently shared that 28% of title companies experiencing at least one incident of seller impersonation fraud in 2023. We strive to educate the public about genuine vulnerabilities while dispelling misconceptions. Users should be aware that while we provide valuable insights, individual circumstances may vary, and our services should be considered as part of a comprehensive approach to property protection.

Real Stories of Deed Theft and Fraud