It began with a letter in the mail—a notice of sale Gloria never authorized. Her mind raced; she had lived in the same house for nearly thirty years. When she called the county recorder’s office and they confirmed a deed transfer had been recorded in someone else’s name, the shock turned to disbelief.
Gloria’s story, once rare, has become increasingly common, as property fraud — especially deed and title fraud— has grown into a national issue. Industry professionals are calling these perpetrators “title pirates” — scammers who file fraudulent to transfer property ownership or exploit vacant land for profit.
According to a 2025 survey by the National Association of REALTORS®, roughly six in ten title fraud cases involved vacant properties in the past year.
Typically, title fraud works this way: Someone forges a deed to illegally transfer your property's title into their name. Scammers then use the forged deed to get a mortgage on your home or sell it, stripping you of your equity.
And this isn’t just anecdotal; long-term federal data show real estate fraud complaints costing homeowners and investors hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Although there are no national statistics tracking home title theft, the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Report tracked 9,521 complaints of cyber-related real estate and rental fraud last year, with losses totaling more than $145 million.
In response, local governments and industry groups are acting to stiffen penalties for real estate fraud and enact earlier warnings for homeowners.
For property owners like Gloria, these developments offer a measure of hope after the stress of legal battles and uncertainty. But the broader narrative reveals a stark reality: as technology and public access to records evolve, so too do the methods of criminals seeking to exploit them. Vigilance, new protections, and widespread awareness are now essential to safeguard what many consider life’s most secure investment—their home.
El Paso County is actively fighting deed fraud with a free Recording Notification Service (RNS) at epcrecords.com where you register your name to get email alerts for any new documents (like deeds or liens) recorded, helping you spot scams quickly. Deed fraud involves criminals forging documents, often quitclaim deeds, to illegally transfer property ownership for mortgages or sales, so signing up for the RNS, checking your property records yearly, and being wary of unsolicited offers are key steps for homeowners to protect their titles.
How to Protect Yourself in El Paso County
Sign up for RNS: Go to epcrecords.com (or clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/
Monitor Records: Periodically check the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's website (epcrecords.com) for any unapproved filings on your property.
Verify Addresses: Ensure the El Paso County Assessor's Office has your correct mailing address for all official notices.
Be Suspicious: Watch for unsolicited offers to buy your home, especially if they ask you to sign documents to match
If You Suspect Fraud
Act Fast: The RNS is designed to give you timely email alerts so you can act quickly.
Contact Authorities: Report the activity to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office and potentially the FBI or CBI as advised by the Colorado Division of Real Estate.
