// first 10 minutes

title fraud · deed forgery — quick-start

title fraud / deed forgery — first 10 minutes. contact recorder before a second transfer files. print this, check boxes, then run the primary tools.

checklist

call the county recorder's office and ask them to flag the property for alerts on any new instrument filings — this is the only way to stop a second transfer before it records.
pull the current chain of title from the county recorder — note the grantee names, instrument numbers, and recording dates for all instruments in the last 5 years.
request a certified copy of the suspect deed or instrument — the original recording stamp and document metadata are evidence.
compare the suspect instrument's notary seal and commission number against your state's notary public registry — forged notarizations are the most common forgery method.
compare the property legal description on the suspect deed to the known-good legal description in the owner's title insurance policy.
pull the property's tax parcel record — note whether the mailing address for tax bills changed after the suspect recording.
check if a home equity loan, HELOC, or lien was recorded against the property after the suspect deed — title fraud often includes simultaneous financing.
contact the title insurance company from the original purchase — they have the prior chain of title and may have a title fraud response protocol.
file a police report with the suspect instrument number, recording date, and grantee name — required for a quiet title action.
begin the primary tool path below — deed metadata analyzer and notary verification tool.

// first 10 minutes

title fraud / deed forgery — first 10 minutes. contact recorder before a second transfer files. print this, check boxes, then run the primary tools.

call the county recorder's office and ask them to flag the property for alerts on any new instrument filings — this is the only way to stop a second transfer before it records.
pull the current chain of title from the county recorder — note the grantee names, instrument numbers, and recording dates for all instruments in the last 5 years.
request a certified copy of the suspect deed or instrument — the original recording stamp and document metadata are evidence.
compare the suspect instrument's notary seal and commission number against your state's notary public registry — forged notarizations are the most common forgery method.
compare the property legal description on the suspect deed to the known-good legal description in the owner's title insurance policy.
pull the property's tax parcel record — note whether the mailing address for tax bills changed after the suspect recording.
check if a home equity loan, HELOC, or lien was recorded against the property after the suspect deed — title fraud often includes simultaneous financing.
contact the title insurance company from the original purchase — they have the prior chain of title and may have a title fraud response protocol.
file a police report with the suspect instrument number, recording date, and grantee name — required for a quiet title action.
begin the primary tool path below — deed metadata analyzer and notary verification tool.