REALTORS® Land Institute Safety Month Series - Part 2

You can lock the gate.

You can post cameras around the property.

But protecting land today also means paying attention to what is happening in the public record.

Seller impersonation and deed fraud can happen without anyone physically stepping onto the property. A criminal may use stolen personal information to pose as an owner and attempt to sell or transfer property that does not belong to them. The FBI issued another warning about rising vacant-land seller impersonation scams in 2026.

For owners of vacant, recreational, agricultural or investment land, a few simple habits can make suspicious activity easier to catch.

1. Know What the Public Record Says

Start by periodically checking the ownership information associated with your property.

Depending on the jurisdiction, land records may be maintained by a recorder, register of deeds, clerk or another local office.

Make sure the ownership information is what you expect. This can be especially useful for property you don't visit regularly or land that has been in the family for years.

2. Sign Up for Free Property Alerts

This may be one of the easiest steps an owner can take.

Some state and local land-record offices offer free notification programs that alert property owners when documents involving their name or property are recorded. The Federal Trade Commission recommends checking whether a free notification program is available in your area.

Search your local recording office website for terms such as property fraud alert, deed alert, recording notification or property watch.

One important point: an alert is not a lock. It generally does not prevent a document from being recorded. It gives you an early warning so you can investigate suspicious activity sooner.

3. Don’t Confuse “Title Lock” With Title Insurance

You've probably seen advertising for commercial 'title lock' services. The name can make it sound like the service prevents anyone from changing your title. That's not how it generally works.

Title Lock ≠ Title Insurance ≠ Deed Alert

The FTC explains that these services typically monitor deed activity and notify the customer after a change appears. They are not title insurance and do not actually stop someone from attempting a fraudulent transfer.

A simple way to think about it:

• Property alert: Monitors recording activity; may be offered free by a government office.
• Commercial title-monitoring service: Also monitors activity, generally for a fee.
• Title insurance: An insurance product with specific covered risks, exclusions and policy terms.

Before paying for monitoring, see what your local land-record office already provides.

4. Protect Your Personal Information

Seller impersonation is ultimately a form of identity fraud.

The more information a criminal has about an owner, the easier it may be to create a believable identity and transaction.

Be cautious with unexpected requests for personal or financial information. Keep an eye on accounts and correspondence tied to properties you own. If something suddenly changes—such as expected mail no longer arriving—find out why.

And if someone contacts you about selling property you have never put on the market, don’t simply dismiss it. Find out where the inquiry originated.

5. Move Quickly if Something Looks Wrong

If you receive an alert about a deed or other document you don’t recognize, investigate it immediately.

Contact the office where the document was recorded and a qualified title or legal professional. Depending on the circumstances, law enforcement or federal fraud-reporting resources may also need to be involved.

The faster you know there may be a problem, the faster you can begin addressing it.

A Land Professional Can Help

Your land broker should understand the property well enough to notice when an attempted transaction doesn’t make sense.

That is one more reason to maintain a relationship with a land professional who knows you, knows your property and understands the local market. Accredited Land Consultants (ALCs) have the education and years of experience to expertly guide landowners through a transaction. You can find ALCs and other RLI members through RLI’s Find a Land Consultant tool.

REALTOR® Safety Month Series: This is Part 2 of RLI's series on seller impersonation and property title fraud. Next: how stronger identity verification can help protect the transaction before closing.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not legal, insurance or financial advice. Fraud-prevention procedures, recording practices and title insurance coverage vary by jurisdiction and transaction. Consult appropriate qualified professionals regarding specific circumstances.

Sources

1 ALTA / FBI warning on rising vacant-land seller impersonation scams (2026). https://www.alta.org/news-and-publications/news/20260618-FBI-Warns-of-Rising-Vacant-Land-Seller-Impersonation-Scams

2 Federal Trade Commission guidance on home title lock services and free recording alerts (2024). https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/08/home-title-lock-insurance-not-lock-all