Real Estate Fraud
Education & Prevention
Expert guides on deed fraud, home title theft, wire fraud, and property scam prevention — written for homeowners, buyers, agents, investors, and title professionals.
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Arizona Is Leading the Nation in Deed Fraud Protection — And Other States Are Getting Tough on Fraud Too
For the first time in recent memory, state legislatures across the country are responding to deed fraud with real enforceable law. Arizona has led the way with a three-bill package that is the most comprehensive in the nation — and the results are worth understanding whether you own property in Arizona or anywhere else.
LA County Real Estate Broker Arrested in $1.5 Million Burbank Home Fraud Scheme
A federal case unsealed in Los Angeles in February 2026 illustrates how sophisticated deed fraud operates when a licensed professional with direct escrow control is allegedly part of the scheme — and why early detection matters more than after-the-fact legal remedy.
Arizona's New Deed Fraud Law: What Homeowners Need to Know About HB 2080
Arizona's HB 2080 is the most significant deed fraud reform in the state's history — upgrading penalties to a Class 4 felony, adding identity checks at the recorder's office, and creating new alerts for property owners. Here's what it means for your home.
Arizona Closes the Deed Fraud 'Paper Title' Loophole — SB 1479 Explained
After the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that forged deeds could lead to permanent property loss through adverse possession, the legislature responded with SB 1479 — passing it 29-0 in the Senate and 49-0 in the House. Here's the full story.
Arizona REALTOR® Compliance Guide: New Deed Fraud Laws in 2026
Three new Arizona bills — HB 2080, SB 1479, and HB 2842 — change what REALTORS® are legally required to do and raise the standard for seller identity verification. Here is the full compliance picture, including what the law requires vs. what is recommended, and the liability exposure you need to understand.
How to Check if Your Deed Has Been Stolen
Deed theft is one of the fastest-growing real estate crimes in America — and most victims don't know it happened until they try to sell. Here's how to check your deed right now.
Warning Signs of Home Title Theft: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Most home title theft victims don't discover the crime until they try to sell or refinance — sometimes years after the fraudulent deed was recorded. These are the warning signs to watch for.
What Is Deed Fraud? How It Works and Who It Targets
Deed fraud is one of the most misunderstood real estate crimes — and one of the most devastating. Here's exactly how it works, who commits it, and how common it really is.
Real Estate Wire Fraud: How Closing Scams Work (And How to Protect Yourself)
Real estate fraud cost Americans $275M across 12,368+ victims in 2025 — up from $173.6M the prior year, and over $1.6 billion in six years (FBI IC3). The FBI officially calls it one of the fastest-growing, most financially damaging internet-enabled crimes. Here's exactly how the scam works.
How to Run a Property Fraud Check Before Closing
Most buyers do extensive research on a property's physical condition but skip its fraud history entirely. Here's the due diligence step that title companies, agents, and investors now run on every transaction.
Home Title Theft Protection: Your Complete Guide
You insure your car, your health, your life. But most homeowners have never taken a single step to protect their property title — the legal foundation of everything they own.
Deed Fraud vs. Title Fraud: What's the Difference?
Real estate professionals and homeowners often use 'deed fraud' and 'title fraud' interchangeably — but they have distinct legal meanings that affect how you detect, report, and recover from each one.
Real Estate Investor Alert: How to Protect Against Fraudulent Chain of Title
For real estate investors — especially those buying in volume — fraudulent chain of title is one of the most expensive surprises that can occur after closing. Here's how to protect every acquisition.
Ready to protect your property?
Search any property for fraud history — free. For ongoing real-time alerts, enroll in your county recorder's free document-alert program; an HFDCP™-certified pro is trained to walk you through it.