Free guide

How can I protect my home from deed fraud?

Deed fraud is when someone records a fake or forged deed, or a loan, on your home without your consent. The county recorder does not check whether a deed is real. Ask your county about a recording alert, check your title now and then, and act the same day if you see a warning sign.

By Guillermo Serafin, broker and owner of Serve First Realty. Updated October 2026.

What does deed fraud look like?

The California Department of Real Estate describes several common scams:

  • A crook forges your name on a quitclaim deed or other deed, records it, then takes out a loan on your home and never pays it.
  • Someone tricks or pressures you into signing a grant deed, telling you it is "just paperwork."
  • A fake "foreclosure rescuer" has you sign deeds that cloud your title, or records part of your home to someone in bankruptcy. This may delay a foreclosure, but it will not stop a lawful one.
  • Someone signs a deed using a power of attorney you never gave.

Scammers often target seniors with a lot of equity or no mortgage, owners whose first language is not English, and empty homes.

What are the warning signs?

  • A recorded document on your home that you never signed.
  • A transfer of all or part of your home that you did not know about.
  • A document "signed" by someone who had already died.
  • A loan on your home that you did not take out, or loan papers in the mail you did not expect.
  • Changes made to a document after you signed it.
  • Your property tax bill or notices stop coming.
  • A Notice of Default or Notice of Trustee's Sale when you own your home free and clear, or when your payments are current.

How can you protect yourself?

  • Ask your county recorder if it has a notification program. Some counties mail you a notice when a deed or loan is recorded on your home. In Los Angeles County, see the Homeowner Notification Program.
  • Check the title to your home from time to time, the way you check your credit.
  • Keep your original deed and title papers in a safe place.
  • Never sign a paper with blank spaces, or one you have not read and understood.
  • Never sign over your deed to someone who says they will save your home. Read our scam red flags guide.
  • Ask your title insurance company whether your policy covers forgery that happens after you bought the home.
  • If you are unsure about a title paper, ask a licensed California real estate broker or a California lawyer.

What should you do if a fake deed is recorded?

Act right away. Gather every paper you have, then report it to:

  • Your local police or sheriff, and the police where the home is, if different.
  • The district attorney and city attorney where the home is. Many district attorneys have a real estate fraud unit.
  • The county recorder where the home is.
  • Your city or county consumer affairs office. In Los Angeles County, call the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at 800-593-8222.
  • The California Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, if a notary was involved.
  • The California Department of Real Estate, if a real estate agent or someone posing as one was involved. DRE's Consumer Recovery Fund may be able to pay part of some losses, up to legal limits.
  • Your title insurance company, if you have a policy.

How do you clear your title?

A fake deed puts a "cloud" on your title. To remove it, a court case called a quiet title action is usually needed. Sometimes a district attorney or city attorney can get a court order while prosecuting the crook. If not, talk to a California lawyer. If you cannot afford one, ask the State Bar of California or your county bar association for a referral, or find free legal help at LawHelpCA.org.

If deed fraud led to a Notice of Default on your home, also read our first 7 days guide so you do not miss any deadlines.

General information, not legal advice. Sources: California Department of Real Estate, Consumer Alert, "What Should You Do If You Learn that a Forged and/or Fraudulent Deed Has Been Recorded Against Your Real Property?" (March 17, 2012); Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.

Email me a copy of this guide

Optional: choose how Serve First Realty may contact you

All three boxes are optional. We will email your guide even if you leave every box blank. You may choose any, all, or none.

Your information: Serve First Realty uses your name, email address, guide choice, language, and email records to send your guide and check its delivery and use. Netlify sends your request to GoHighLevel, which creates a contact record and sends the guide. These emails track opens and link clicks. You can read this guide on this page without using the form.

We send guide follow-up and promotional emails only if you check the email box and have not withdrawn that permission. If you choose emails, we may use email open and click records to help decide whether, when, and what follow-up or promotional emails to send you. An open or click does not give new permission. Calls and texts require their own checked boxes. We will email your guide even if you leave every box blank. We do not send your guide request or email activity to advertising platforms. We keep records under the retention rules in our Notice at Collection and Privacy Policy. You can withdraw a choice at any time.

Optional phone contact: If you choose calls or texts, we also collect your phone number and a record of that choice. We send this information to GoHighLevel to manage the contact you chose. Calls and texts may include offers for Serve First Realty’s real estate and paid mortgage-help services. We do not use a phone number entered on this guide form for marketing calls or texts unless you choose that type of contact. Your email choice does not give phone permission. We keep limited consent and opt-out records to respect your choices and meet legal duties.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Serve First Realty is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender.

Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.

Asking for a guide or giving contact permission does not stop foreclosure or extend a deadline.

Worried about your home's title? Talk to us.

A free call can help you understand your options and who to contact first.

Book your free call See all free guides