How to check your home title for fraud

Your home may be your largest asset, so seeing an ad warning that someone can "steal" it online can get your attention fast.But home title fraud does not work like someone hacking into an online account and changing the password.

The real risk is that a criminal could forge your signature on a deed or trick you into signing paperwork that transfers ownership, then file that document with the local office that maintains property records.There are steps you can take right now.You can check your property records yourself, often for free, and many counties offer free alerts when a document is recorded under your name.

If you want ongoing monitoring and help recovering from identity fraud, an identity theft protection service can add another layer of protection.Just know what that protection can and cannot do.A monitoring service can alert you when a change appears in the public record, but it cannot stop someone from submitting a fraudulent document in the first place.

The Federal Trade Commission also warns that a so-called "title lock" is not the same as title insurance and does not literally lock your deed.Missed CyberGuy LIVE? Watch the replay and discover 5 ways AI can help you get better health care.Our free CyberGuy LIVE class Get Better Healthcare with AI has ended, but you can still watch the full replay.Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you through five practical ways AI can help you prepare for appointments, remember important details, understand complicated medical information, research prescription questions and organize your next steps.

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