By Robert L. Wagner, REALTOR® — Real Broker, LLC
For most people, a home is their largest financial investment. Unfortunately, real estate can also attract criminals who use forged documents to claim an ownership interest, create a lien, or try to borrow against someone else’s equity.
The good news: Many Texas counties offer free property-recording alerts that can help you spot suspicious activity early.
What Is Property Fraud?
Property fraud—often called deed fraud or title fraud—occurs when someone records a fraudulent document with a county clerk to make it appear that they own a property or have a legal interest in it.
A fraudster may try to:
- Transfer ownership with a forged deed
- Borrow against a homeowner’s equity
- Sell property they do not legally own
- Create an unauthorized lien
Because property records are public, homeowners should know how to monitor filings made in their name.
How Does It Happen?
The scheme often begins with forged paperwork recorded in the county’s public records. A homeowner may not discover the filing until they try to refinance or sell, receive an unexpected legal notice, or find an unfamiliar lien.
Early detection matters. A recording alert does not prevent fraud, but it can give you a valuable head start if something looks wrong.
Three Steps Every Homeowner Can Take
- Register for alerts. Enroll through your county’s official property-alert or county-clerk service.
- Review every notification. Do not ignore an alert simply because the document description is unfamiliar.
- Act quickly. If a filing does not look legitimate, contact the county clerk and speak with a qualified Texas real-estate attorney or title professional.
Property-Alert Resources by County
Use the official resource for your county. Programs and web addresses can change, so confirm that the page is operated by the county or its authorized recording-alert provider before entering personal information.
- Collin County
- Dallas County
- Denton County
- Ellis County
- Erath County: Contact the Erath County Clerk to confirm the current alert option.
- Hood County
- Johnson County
- Kaufman County
- Navarro County Clerk
- Palo Pinto County
- Rockwall County
- Tarrant County
- Wise County fraud-prevention information
What Should You Do After a Suspicious Alert?
- Review the recorded document immediately.
- Contact the county clerk’s office using contact information from the county’s official website.
- Notify your title company or a qualified real-estate attorney.
- Report suspected criminal activity to local law enforcement when appropriate.
- Keep copies of the alert, document, emails, and notes from every conversation.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.
Protect the Investment You Worked Hard to Build
Buying a home is only the beginning of homeownership. Whether you have owned your property for six months or thirty years, taking a few minutes to enroll in available county alerts can provide an added layer of awareness and peace of mind.
My commitment as your REALTOR® does not end at the closing table. I am here to help North Texas homeowners protect, maintain, and make informed decisions about one of their greatest investments.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Buying, selling, or simply looking for practical homeowner guidance? Join my 100 Days of Impact community for real-estate tips, market insights, homeowner resources, motivation, and practical strategies for building long-term wealth through real estate.
Robert L. Wagner, REALTOR®
Real Broker, LLC
817-791-0631
therobertlwagner@gmail.com
RLWRealEstate.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is property fraud?
Property fraud involves recording false or forged documents to create the appearance of ownership or another legal interest in real estate.
Can someone steal a house through deed fraud?
A forged filing does not automatically make the fraudster the lawful owner, but it can cloud title and create serious legal and financial problems that may require professional help to resolve.
Do property alerts prevent fraud?
No. Recording alerts are an early-warning tool. They notify you when a document matching your registered information is recorded so you can review it promptly.
Are property-alert programs free?
Many Texas counties offer alerts at no cost. Confirm the terms on your county’s official website or with the county clerk.
How do I register?
Open the official resource for your county, register the requested name variations, and follow the service’s verification steps. Consider registering each owner’s name when a property has multiple owners.