Can Someone Really Steal Your Home by Changing the Deed? (With expert insight from Tiffany Perry, ATG Title)

Every so often, I get a message that makes me realize how confusing real estate headlines can sound. Recently, someone DM’d me with this question:

“Hi Sueyen, my friend heard that anyone can go to the county clerk’s office, ask for a copy of your deed, and then change it to their name. Is that true? Could someone really lose their home that way?”

It’s an understandable fear and versions of this claim have been making the rounds online. Yes, property deeds are public. Anyone can look them up, and that’s part of how our real estate system maintains transparency. County clerks don’t verify ownership. They simply record what’s submitted. So, in theory, a scammer could file a forged document. So what does this all mean? I reached out to Tiffany Perry with ATG Title, one of my trusted title partners, to get a better understanding. 

As Tiffany explains, “A forged deed can be recorded, but that doesn’t mean the scammer owns your home. What it does mean is that you’ll have a legal mess to unwind — and that’s where enhanced owner’s title insurance steps in.”

This isn’t only a scary headline. I know one person who’ve lived this. The land owner only discovered a problem when he tried to sell it. He was able to clear it up, but it added weeks of legal headaches and stress.

I’ve also had someone contact me pretending to be the owner of a landlot and was looking to sell. The real owner was not local. Untended properties are often targets for this kind of scheme because the real owners are less likely to be monitoring public records or answering inquiries.

When you purchased your home, you likely bought owner’s title insurance — protection against issues like liens, recording errors, or inheritance issues. But not all coverage is the same. Tiffany says, “Enhanced owner’s title insurance protects you for as long as you own the property, and it even extends to your heirs. It specifically covers fraudulent title transfers, while the basic version does not. The enhanced policy costs a little more, but the coverage difference is huge.”

If you ever wonder which type you purchased, look through your closing documents or call your title company. Most homeowners opt for the enhanced version, but it’s worth confirming.

The Bottom Line

“Title theft” sounds frightening, but the actual risk of losing your home this way is low. The real harm is the hassle and legal cost of untangling a forged filing and that’s why enhanced owner’s title insurance is such a quiet but effective safeguard.

A big thank-you to Tiffany Perry, ATG Title, for clarification. 

If you’re planning to buy or sell a home soon, learn more about working with a buyer agent or request a home valuation.