Quitclaim Deed Fraud on the Rise, FBI Says
By Andrew Dorn
Fraudsters use fake quitclaim deeds to steal homes, selling or renting them without owners’ knowledge. Stay alert by monitoring records and protecting your information.
NEW YORK — Unsuspecting homeowners are discovering their properties have been sold out from under them in a scam that authorities say is becoming more common: quitclaim-deed fraud.
The scheme, also known as home-title theft, typically involves fraudsters forging documents to record a fake transfer of property ownership, creating a nightmare for the rightful homeowner.
A couple in Dayton, Ohio, was indicted earlier this week after being accused of forging documents to steal an elderly man’s home, which they later allegedly put up for sale for $119,000. The 67-year-old homeowner had never met them.
The case is just one example involving quitclaim-deed fraud, which the FBI says is on the rise.
“Folks across the region are having their roots literally pulled out from under them and are being left with no place to call home,” Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in an April warning. Website Scam Quit Claim…
While there is no national data on quitclaim-deed fraud specifically, the FBI said that from 2019 to 2023, 58,141 victims reported $1.3 billion in losses related to real-estate fraud.
Here’s what to know and how to protect yourself
What is a quitclaim deed?
A deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of property, but not all deeds offer the same protections. General-warranty deeds guarantee clear title, while quitclaim deeds simply transfer “whatever I had” with no warranties. Because they’re quick and inexpensive, quitclaim deeds are convenient—but also vulnerable to scammers. Website Scam Quit Claim…
What is quitclaim-deed fraud?
Deed fraud (home-title theft) occurs when thieves transfer a title without the owner’s knowledge, often via forged quitclaim deeds. Criminals can then sell, mortgage, or rent the property, leaving owners to fight in court. Forgery involves faking signatures; fraud tricks owners into signing away title rights. The FBI says remote, pandemic-era real-estate practices have made scams easier. Website Scam Quit Claim…
Who is at risk?
Criminals target abandoned or vacant homes, properties in foreclosure or with tax liens, and estates whose heirs haven’t transferred title. Older owners are especially vulnerable because many own their homes outright. Website Scam Quit Claim…
How to prevent deed fraud
Guard personal information (Social Security numbers, IDs, financial accounts).
Enroll in free county property-fraud alert services where available.
Regularly monitor public land records and watch for mail addressed to someone else at your address.
Be wary if water- or tax-bill statements suddenly stop arriving.
Never sign real-estate documents under pressure; consult a reputable attorney first.
