Local officials in Delaware are warning consumers about a crime that could jeopardize their homes—often their most valuable asset. At issue is deed fraud, which generally involves a criminal impersonating the homeowner and forging documents to transfer property to themselves or someone else. They can then try to sell the home or take out loans against it, all without the real homeowner’s knowledge.

“In Delaware, deed fraud is a growing concern, and homeowners need to take measures to protect themselves,” says Michael Kozikowski Sr., the New Castle County recorder of deeds. To help homeowners spot this type of scam, each of Delaware’s three counties has an alert system that will notify enrolled residents if their deed has been accessed or changed in any way. Kent County Recorder of Deeds Eugenia Thornton says that the alerts are especially important for older adults who have paid off their mortgage. With no lender monitoring the title, it is easier for scammers to make unnoticed changes.

“Citizens over sixty-five with a fully paid mortgage and those who own multiple properties—especially vacant ones—are the most vulnerable to this type of crime,” Thornton notes. Although registering for alerts will not prevent theft, she adds, homeowners’ best bet for mitigating possible damage is to be notified as fast as possible after a crime happens. Thorton says that so far, Kent County has three thousand residents registered for alerts. She is aiming to get 100 percent of residents over sixty-five.

Criminals use various tactics to transfer property titles—from forging signatures on deeds to filing fraudulent documents with county recorders’ offices. Additionally, scammers can list a property for sale using real estate sites and try to sell a property online for cash only.

Other ways Delaware homeowners can protect their property include reviewing county records to make sure all information is accurate. They can also check often on vacant land or unoccupied properties and not let related mail pile up. Additionally, people should disregard letters asking for money to obtain a copy of their deed, because counties provide this information free of charge.

Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Alexandra Reed Baker notes an uptick in the posting of fake home listings by scammers who impersonate homeowners. These scammers fraudulently list homes or land that they don’t own and then contact local realtors. Baker points out that local realtors know that this is happening and remain vigilant. “Usually, it gets caught before it escalates to a contract and then to the settlement table,” she says.

Sign Up for Alerts at the Following Sites:

• New Castle County: newcastlede.gov/2398/AlertMe
• Kent County: pfa.uslandrecords.com
• Sussex County: sussexcountyde.gov/deed-fraud-alert