Alert tool to help warn of possible deed fraud!

The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office is launching a new alert tool system to notify the user if someone records any document using their name. The move comes after a string of deed fraud cases across the country, including cases in Maricopa County.

Since January of 2021, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has received 65 complaints from homeowners, claiming their home was no longer in their name after someone fraudulently forged their signature on a warranty deed and filed it with the county recorder. In many cases, the criminal quickly sold the home and took off with the money.

Criminal investigators with the AGO say homeowners who live in their homes and carry a mortgage are less likely to experience deed fraud. The crime is most common in empty houses, rentals owned by corporations or people who live out of state, or homes where someone has recently passed away.

The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office has launched an alert tool system to inform people of things recorded in their name. For example, in the case of possible deed fraud, property owners signed up in the system will be notified if someone filed a deed, lien, or other legal document using the property owner’s name. Whenever anything is recorded with that name you’ll automatically receive an email alert at the end of that day.