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They Sold My House Without Me! What You Need to Know About Title Fraud

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Keller Williams Realty Inc.

Yes, it’s real — scammers are stealing identities, forging documents, and selling homes they don’t own. It’s called title fraud, and it’s especially common when a property is mortgage-free.

⚠️ How It Happens:

  1. Identity theft – Scammers gather your personal info from phishing or social media.

  2. Fake documents – They create IDs and paperwork to impersonate you.

  3. Illegal sale – They list and sell your home, then disappear with the money.

🚩 Red Flags:

  • You get mail about mortgages or title changes you didn’t authorize.

  • Strange activity on your credit report.

  • Someone contacts you about selling your home — but you never listed it.

  • You stop receiving important mail.

🛡 How to Protect Yourself:

  • Sign up for title fraud alerts (if available in your province).

  • Monitor your credit report regularly (Equifax, TransUnion).

  • Keep personal info secure and watch for phishing.

  • Buy title insurance — it could save you financially.

  • Make sure your address is always updated with land registry offices.

🚨 If You Suspect Fraud:

  • Contact your land registry office right away.

  • Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

  • Call the police and notify your bank.

  • Talk to a real estate lawyer ASAP.

Bottom Line:

Title fraud is scary, but preventable. Stay informed, protect your identity, and don’t ignore the warning signs. Questions? Let’s chat — I’m here to help.

Comments(2)

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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Apparently this happens in more than just the US!

Apr 09, 2025 04:46 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Jean,
This seems to be more common than one would think. I believe the U.S. equivalent to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre would be the Federal Trade Commission and the individual state Attorney General.

Apr 09, 2025 11:07 AM