HousingWireHousingWire
The Boston division of the FBI is sounding the alarm over a rise in home title theft, aka quit claim deed fraud, a scheme in which scammers forge documents to steal property ownership and cash in on unsuspecting homeowners.
“Folks across the region are having their roots literally pulled out from under them,” Jodi Cohen, a special agent in charge of the bureau’s Boston division, said in a statement. “They’re suffering deeply personal losses that have inflicted a significant financial and emotional toll, including shock, anger, and even embarrassment.”
The warning comes as the FBI reports a steady uptick in these types of cases across New England, with homeowners discovering their property has been sold — or is in the process of being sold — without their knowledge or consent.
Home title theft hinges on forged or fraudulent quit claim deeds. Once recorded with a county clerk, these fake documents allow scammers to list and sell homes, apply for loans or even rent properties to unsuspecting tenants.
The schemes are as varied as they are alarming.
Some criminals comb through public records to identify vacant lots or mortgage-free homes, then impersonate the rightful owner in dealings with real estate agents. Others take advantage of elderly family members, convincing them to unknowingly sign over property rights.
In more elaborate cases, fraudsters known as “title pirates” forge entire transaction chains to pass ownership, which often goes undetected until after the sale has closed and money has changed hands.
While the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center does not isolate statistics for quit claim fraud, it is tracked under the broader category of real estate crimes. From 2019 to 2023, more than 58,000 Americans reported losing a combined $1.3 billion to such schemes.
In the Boston division — which covers Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island — 2,301 victims reported more than $61.5 million in losses during that period. Massachusetts alone accounted for $46 million in losses.
But the true impact is likely far greater due to underreporting, officials warn. “Many victims are too embarrassed or don’t know where to turn,” Cohen said.
Pandemic-driven fraud shift
Real estate fraud has found new fuel in the digital age, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed more transactions online.
With buyers and sellers often relying on emails, phone calls and virtual closings, bad actors have found easier ways to pose as owners and slip through verification gaps.
To combat the trend, the FBI is partnering with real estate agents, title companies, county registries and insurance providers. But the bureau stresses that homeowners and real estate professionals must remain on high alert, and it offers the following guidelines:
Tips for property owners
- Monitor property records regularly through your local county clerk or assessor’s office. Some counties offer title alert systems.
- Set up Google alerts for your name and property address to catch unauthorized listings.
- Physically inspect vacant properties or have someone do so periodically.
- Ask neighbors to report suspicious activity around your land or home.
- Take action if you stop receiving utility bills or see a sudden change in services.
- Avoid conducting transactions over encrypted or anonymous messaging apps.
Tips for agents
- Prioritize in-person meetings and identity checks when possible.
- Request documents only the legitimate property owner would possess — like tax bills, utility statements or a purchase survey.
- Verify notarized documents by contacting the notary directly.
- Send certified letters to the mailing address on file to alert owners of any suspicious activity.
- Double-check contact information using phone carrier databases or reverse searches.
“This is a community problem with real and lasting consequences,” Cohen said. “The more proactive we are, the better chance we have of stopping it before it starts.”
Anyone who suspects they’ve been targeted is urged to report the crime through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
