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ew Hampshire authorities are warning property owners about a scheme known as quit claim deed fraud, which can lead to homes being sold without the owner's knowledge. According to the FBI, between 2019 and 2023, 239 people in New Hampshire lost over $4 million to this type of scam.

    Deed fraud occurs when scammers forge documents for a fraudulent transfer of property ownership without the real owner's knowledge. They may use fake identification to take advantage of remote closings, where parties never meet in person. If successful, scammers can sell the property, take out a mortgage, or rent it before the owner knows what happened.

    These scams often target vacant lots, properties with liens, and those owned by people living out of state, but anyone can be affected. To minimize risks, New Hampshire property owners can set up Google alerts for their property address, regularly monitor real estate websites, search social media for posts about their property, visit their property to check for unusual activity, and contact their title insurance professional to discuss available coverage.

    Certain counties in New Hampshire offer fraud alert protection, which can be accessed through the Register of Deeds website. If you have fallen victim to deed fraud, report it to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-468-4454.