Title Fraud: A Growing Threat

By Tabetha

Title Fraud in Florida: What Every Landlord Needs to Know

(and How to Protect Your Property)

Title fraud also known as deed fraud is becoming one of the fastest‑growing threats to property owners in Florida and across the U.S. It happens when scammers forge ownership documents to illegally transfer a property into their name, then try to sell it, mortgage it, or otherwise profit from it without the owner’s knowledge. (Kiplinger)

In Florida, scammers often target vacant land, rentals, or properties with absentee owners because these are less likely to be monitored regularly. (Florida Realtors)

Why Title Fraud Matters for Landlords

  • Criminals can file fraudulent deeds using forged signatures or fake IDs. (Florida Realtors)
  • Once recorded, the deed looks official, and the county clerk will record it because their office cannot verify authenticity; they are only required to record documents that are properly formatted. (lowndes-law.com)
  • Property owners often don’t find out until they try to refinance, sell, or discover unauthorized liens. (lowndes-law.com)
  • These scams can result in months or years of legal battles to reclaim your property and can cost thousands in legal fees. (lowndes-law.com)

How to Stay Ahead: Property Fraud Alerts

The best proactive step landlords can take is to sign up for FREE property fraud alert services offered by many Florida counties. These alerts notify you when a document (deeds, liens, mortgages, etc.) is recorded using your name or business name so you can verify whether it was authorized.

Here are alert services available for several counties in our region:

Citrus County, FL

Hernando County, FL

Pasco County, FL

Hillsborough County, FL

What These Alerts Do and Don’t Do

What they do
✅ Notify you early if a deed or other document is recorded under your name
✅ Give you a chance to act quickly if the activity is unauthorized
✅ Provide peace of mind for landlords, especially those with remote or vacant properties

What they don’t do
❌ They can’t prevent fraud from happening — only alert you after something is recorded
❌ They do not replace title insurance or legal protection
❌ You’ll still need to contact law enforcement and possibly an attorney if fraud is suspected

Quick Tips for Landlords

  • Sign up for alerts in every county where you own property. They are free and can be set up in minutes.
  • Regularly monitor your property records online, even without alerts.
  • Keep your contact information updated with the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector so you receive all notifications.
  • If something seems off, don’t procrastinate. The sooner you act, the easier it is to stop scammers.

Final Thought

Title fraud is real, growing, and something every landlord should take seriously. Free county fraud alerts aren’t a silver bullet, but they give you a fighting chance to spot unauthorized activity early and protect your investment. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim. (Florida Realtors)

As always, We remain committed to the care and protection of your property. Thank you for your continued trust in our team and if a situation ever arises, please reach out as we have dedicated professionals to assist you on any given situation.

-Tabetha-

ModernDay PM logo

3300 Commercial Way

Spring Hill, FL 34606

E: Team@moderndayrentals.com

P: 352-397-4577

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