Is Your Central Coast Home Safe from Title Theft?

Your home could be stolen—and you might not even know it until it’s too late.
That sounds extreme, but this crime is real. It’s called home title theft, and it’s one of the fastest-growing property crimes in America. 

What is Home Title Theft?

In a nutshell: someone pretends to be you (or forges your signature), transfers the legal ownership of your home into their name, and then either sells it, takes out loans against it, or leaves you with a huge mess to clean up.
What they really steal is your equity, and the stability of your home.

Why Central Coast Homeowners Should Care

You might think this happens somewhere else—not in San Luis Obispo County—but the truth is, the risk is real. Especially if you:

·         Own your home free and clear (no mortgage)

·         Have a second/vacation property that’s not occupied all the time

·         Are a senior homeowner or someone who might miss subtle changes in documentation or mail
These scenarios often appeal to fraudsters. 

How Title Theft Works

Here’s a typical scenario:

1.      The fraudster identifies a property with equity or a seldom-occupied home.

2.      They gather the homeowner’s info (through identity theft or public records). 

3.      They forge a deed (or other document) and record it at the County Recorder’s office, transferring title. 

4.      Now they may apply for a HELOC (home equity line of credit), take out a mortgage, or sell the home outright. The legitimate owner may only discover the damage when foreclosure papers arrive or a debt collector knocks. 

Warning Signs Homeowners Should Know

Be alert for any of the following:

·         Unexpected bills or mail that don’t make sense (tax bills, homeowners insurance notices)

·         A change of address for your property you didn’t authorize

·         A property in your name you don’t recognize listed for sale or as collateral

·         Notification from your County Recorder of a deed transfer you didn’t initiate

What You Can Do to Protect Your Home

·         Check your property’s title periodically through your County Recorder/Clerk’s office to confirm the owner listed is still you. Some counties offer free alert-services. 

·         Consider a title-monitoring service. However, know these services generally notify you after a transfer, not prevent it. 

·         Secure your personal information — identity protection matters.

·         If you suspect an issue, contact your mortgage lender (if you have one), file a police report, and initiate steps to quiet title (a legal proceeding to affirm your ownership). 

Local Insight From a Central Coast Real-Estate Expert

As someone who’s grown up here and worked with homeowners across North San Luis Obispo County, I’ve seen how easy it is for people to assume “it won’t happen to me.” But the combination of high-equity homes, second homes, and less-populated rural areas make our region attractive to fraudsters. Don’t assume you’re “too far from the city” to be safe.

Bottom Line

Protecting your title is just as important as locking your front door. One document change, one forged deed, and you could lose more than a home—you could lose your equity and sense of security.

If you’d like my trusted list of title-monitoring companies (especially vetted for Central Coast homeowners), comment “TITLE” or send me a DM. Let’s make sure your biggest asset is protected.