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KCRA 3 investigation uncovered the alarming threat of real estate fraud, where scammers pose as property owners and sell their land from under them. To reduce your risk of falling victim, Haywood Talcove, CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions Government Business, recommends four key steps.

    Firstly, contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to freeze your credit. This takes only two minutes and prevents someone from taking out a loan in your name. You can easily unfreeze it when needed by pressing the blue button.

    Secondly, sign up for informed delivery with the U.S. Postal Service before a criminal does it for you. By filling out this form online, scammers can see all your mail and intercept checks intended for your address.

    Thirdly, especially if you have elderly parents, set up digital bank notifications to alert you of any suspicious transactions. This includes setting up alarms for large transactions that require phone calls or two-factor authentication.

    Lastly, find out if your county clerk or recorder's office has a property owner alert program. By registering your title and setting up an alert, you'll receive a heads-up if someone tries to pretend they're you and take your title. Unfortunately, not all counties offer this service, but Placer County launched one in 2022, while Sacramento County is working on it.