Protect Your Property from Title & Mortgage Fraud

Katie Stokes
Jun 25
3 min read

Written by Munson Law Firm

Property Fraud in North Carolina: What It Is — and How to Protect Yourself

At Munson Law Firm, we help clients throughout the Triangle and central North Carolina navigate estate planning, real estate transfers, and property ownership every day. Because we routinely record deeds and work closely with clients managing estates or inherited property, we’ve seen firsthand how property fraud can create serious legal and financial problems — especially when it goes unnoticed for too long.

Unfortunately, this isn’t just a hypothetical risk.

Real Estate Nightmare: Deed Stolen on $4.25 Million NC Mansion

A recent New York Post article revealed how a stranger allegedly stole the deed to a multimillion-dollar home in North Carolina — without the real owner's knowledge. The scammer used forged documents to transfer ownership of a $4.25 million mansion in Raleigh, sparking a legal battle and placing the rightful owner's property rights in serious jeopardy. (Read the full article here »)

This alarming case shows how easily property fraud can happen — and how devastating the consequences can be if it isn’t caught early.

Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.

What Is Property Fraud?

Property fraud happens when someone files a false document with the Register of Deeds to:

Transfer ownership of your property (title fraud), or
Take out a loan against your property (mortgage fraud)

This type of fraud often goes undetected until the real owner tries to sell, refinance, or transfer the property — just like in the Raleigh mansion case. At that point, resolving the issue can require legal action and time-consuming court processes.

How Does It Happen?

At Munson Law Firm, we regularly file official documents — such as deeds, estate transfers, and trust funding paperwork — with local county Registers of Deeds.

While this public system ensures transparency, it also creates a window of opportunity for bad actors. If someone files a forged deed or mortgage, it can be recorded and appear legitimate — even when it isn’t.

That’s why it’s critical to monitor your property records and ensure they’re clean, accurate, and secure — especially when buying, selling, or handling inherited real estate.

A Simple Way to Protect Yourself

One of the easiest ways to safeguard your property is by signing up for your county’s Fraud Alert System — a free service that notifies you if a document is recorded in your name.

You'll receive an email or text alert whenever a new filing is made. In the Raleigh case, such an alert might have helped the homeowner spot the fraudulent deed before it escalated.

Triangle-Area County Fraud Alert Links:

Chatham County: Sign Up »
Orange County: Sign Up »
Durham County: Sign Up »
Wake County: Sign Up »

For other North Carolina counties, search:

“[Your County] fraud alert system” on your local Register of Deeds site.

How Munson Law Firm Can Help

We don't just file deeds — we help you understand what they mean, how they affect your estate plan, and how to prevent fraud before it starts.

Whether you're:

Retitling property into a trust or will
Handling inherited real estate
Planning a transfer between family members

We ensure your documents are properly prepared, reviewed, and recorded — the right way.

And if you ever receive a fraud alert or suspect suspicious activity, we’re here to help you understand what’s happening — and what to do next.

Stay Vigilant. Stay Protected.

Property fraud is rare — but as we’ve seen, it’s very real. And preventable.

By working with a law firm that understands how deeds and property transfers work — and by enrolling in a fraud alert system — you're taking two smart, simple steps to protect your home, your family, and your future.