Nowadays, the amount of crime perpetrated online is incalculable, and it can (and does) feel overwhelming at times. How are we to deal with it all, keep ourselves safe, and safeguard our assets? What even is “Title Theft” and why should we be wary of it?

In this article, we’ll lay out ten steps that get to the root of the problem and help you deal with it.

1. Keep tabs on your property’s records

Wow, you must be thinking, what a step to begin on! How boring does this sound? Many counties offer online access to records and copies of important documents related to your title deed. Monitoring these every once in a while is a great first step.

Even better than doing it yourself, however, is paying someone else to do it for you. This is where a monitoring service that covers Home Title Theft comes in.

2. Ensure you’re getting fraud alerts

A number of local government agencies even offer free fraud alerts you can enroll in as a homeowner. They focus specifically on those boring property records from step one.

We recommend getting an alert system that includes title and property fraud as it’s just one fewer thing that has to be on your plate.

3. Treasure your personal information

In order to pull off the scam and make off with your title, the thieves need access to your personal information, and then need to marry the correct parts together in order to create a convincing case.

If you have personal info monitoring set up, this will stop them dead in their tracks, or at the very least make it much harder for them to get the ball rolling.

4. Monitor your credit reports

A sometimes surprising place to pick up clues and early warning signs for title theft is on your credit report. In here you’ll want to pay attention to any red flags, especially any pulls or score factors you weren’t expecting. 

Report anything that feels off to your bank, the credit bureaus, or your protection agent immediately. This will save you a heaping headache in the future.

5. Consider title insurance

A simple investment in title insurance can provide not only peace of mind, but a financial safety net in case anything goes south. 

These types of services can protect you not only from current issues, but future ones as well. Legal battles are often financially draining and can span weeks or months you don’t have. Putting stock in a service like this upfront means that down the road you don’t need to worry.

6. Store or dispose of your mail safely

As oft-forgotten angle nowadays, physical mail remains a gold mine for a unscrupulous individual with too much time on their hands. If you are always shredding old mail, locking up anything you want to keep, and even utilizing a service such as a P.O. Box, you’ll cut down on this avenue.

7. Don’t trust unsolicited offers

Calls, text, and emails you weren’t expecting are the number one way scams spread today. Especially with the rise of AI-based scams, you always need to be on the lookout for red flags here.

The basic rule of thumb is to never trust anything you receive that “claims” to be from the source. Instead, always contact that source directly and verify with them instead of trusting the message you got.

If you’re wrong, you’ve wasted a couple minutes. If you’re right, you’ve just saved yourself thousands of dollars worth of time and money.

8. Only work with trusted professionals

Make sure that, when it comes to your home, you are only working with reputable and respected professionals. Don’t trust something as expensive and precious as your future home to chance.

You should always do your due diligence and research potential candidates before entrusting them with your future.

9. Use a title lock service

These do what they sound like, and prevent anyone from making any unauthorized changes to your home title. In the event you ever need to (and ask yourself, when was the last time you did?), simply contact and verify your credentials with the service, make your changes, and lock up behind you.

10. Don’t wait if something feels “off”

The worst thing you as a homeowner can do is to wait when trouble comes up. Putting it off, kicking the can down the road, and procrastination are all your enemy in dealing with and resolving home title theft.

Don’t fall into that trap, and always be sure to follow your gut, trust the fraud alerts, and follow-up on anything suspicious or out of whack.

Final thoughts

Crooks are sneaky and often patient, lying in wait for their unsuspecting victims just like a hungry crocodile in a Savannah watering hole. Don’t be the foolish gazelle that gets too close, drinks too long, or zones out during a predator-prey metaphor.

Remember that this can happen to anyone, but iDefend has your back. Contact us if you suspect you might be a victim of home title theft, want to protect yourself, or even just explore our protection plans.