Attorney General Letitia James is cautioning New Yorkers to guard their homes and properties from deed theft – when a thief takes the title to a home without the knowledge or consent of the homeowner.
Also known as “property fraud” or “house stealing”, deed fraud most commonly happens in one of two ways: a thief forges the homeowner’s signature on a deed and files it in a county clerk’s office; or the homeowner is tricked into signing the deed (not knowing what document they are actually signing).
Criminals attempting deed theft often target abandoned or empty properties, properties in foreclosure or facing tax/utility liens, or properties where the homeowner has died and no steps have been taken by survivors to transfer title to the property.
For residents of Saratoga County, the County Clerk’s Office is offering a free service that will help protect against deed theft. After enrollment and registration in the service, property owners are notified by email when documents are recorded under their name in the County Clerk’s Office.
Here is the link to the free service:
https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/county-clerk/property-fraud-alert/
