Can Someone Really Steal Your Home? 

If you've ever seen an ad warning that your home could be "stolen" by title thieves, you're not alone. These infomercials, often fronted by high profile figures, tend to spark fear with big claims and urgent sales pitches. But do these warnings reflect a real risk? Or is this just clever marketing dressed up as a public service?

 

Let’s dive into what home title fraud actually is, how it works (when it does), and whether you need special “title lock” services to stay protected.

First, What Is Home Title Fraud?

Home title fraud is a form of real estate fraud where someone tries to forge documents to transfer ownership of your property into their name. It’s usually in order to take out loans against it or sell it out from under you. It sounds like something out of a thriller movie, and in some rare cases, it’s happened.

 

But here’s the key word: rare.

 

The FBI does track mortgage fraud (which includes title fraud), but it’s overwhelmingly tied to larger financial crimes. That means they’re not quite tracking the individual homeowners being randomly targeted by criminals looking to "steal" their deed. In fact, experts in real estate and law agree: the idea that someone can easily hijack your home’s title and leave you helpless is highly exaggerated.

Most homeowners in Georgia purchase title insurance during the homebuying process (iStock)

Do You Need Title Lock Services?

Here's where things get murky. Several companies have emerged offering “home title monitoring” services. One of the most advertised is Home Title Lock, which markets itself as a form of insurance that not only alerts you to suspicious activity but may also cover legal costs if fraud occurs.

 

But there are two big caveats to consider:

  • You Probably Already Have Title Insurance: Most homeowners in Georgia purchase title insurance during the homebuying process. This policy protects you against issues with your property’s ownership history, including certain types of fraud. While it doesn’t monitor your title, it does cover losses related to title defects.
  • Title Theft Is Incredibly Rare: The National Association of Realtors, state property offices, and county clerks report very few actual instances. In Georgia, title changes go through county level offices and are a matter of public record, making large scale fraud without detection extremely difficult.

So, before paying a monthly fee for a service that’s solving a problem you likely don’t have, it’s worth asking: Is this truly protection, or am I only being sold peace of mind?

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Even though home title theft is not the epidemic some claim it to be, it never hurts to take some simple, proactive steps. Here's what Georgia homeowners can do to stay in the know:

  • Monitor Your Property Records: Many Georgia counties, including Fulton and DeKalb, offer free online access to property deeds and title history. You can check periodically to confirm no unauthorized changes have occurred.
  • Sign Up for County Alerts: Some local governments have programs that notify you if a new document is filed in your name. It’s a free way to stay informed without signing up for a third-party service.
  • Safeguard Your Identity: Identity theft is often a gateway to fraud. Keep your financial documents secure, shred sensitive paperwork, and monitor your credit reports regularly.

If you're ever unsure, consult a local real estate attorney. They can clarify exactly what protections you have and whether additional steps make sense for your situation.

So, Is It a Scam?

Not quite. These services exist and do provide alerts. But they often lean heavily into fear-based marketing to sell a solution for a problem that’s neither common nor easily pulled off.

 

It’s a bit like buying volcano insurance in Atlanta: technically available, not really necessary.

 

That said, understanding your title insurance and taking simple steps to monitor public records are smart ways to stay empowered as a homeowner, without falling for overhyped threats.

Taking simple steps to monitor public records are smart ways to stay empowered as a homeowner. (iStock)

Final Thoughts

Georgia homeowners shouldn’t lose sleep over home title fraud, but staying informed never hurts. By understanding what title fraud is (and isn’t), you can confidently protect your home and wallet. When something sounds terrifying and urgent, especially in a late night ad, it’s always worth pausing to investigate.

 

Do you know what's covered under your title insurance policy? And when was the last time you checked your county’s property records?

A little diligence goes a long way. No panic (or extra insurance) required.