Property Fraud: How to Stop Criminals from Stealing Your Home

What if someone could steal your house without ever stepping foot on your property? It happened to Graceland—and it could happen to you. In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze breaks down the growing threat of property fraud while sipping coffee at the vintage-inspired Maqua Coffee in Roseville, MN. 

Property fraud isn't just about stolen credit cards or compromised bank accounts. Criminals are forging house deeds and claiming ownership of real properties—and most homeowners have no idea until it's too late. But there's a simple, free solution that takes just minutes to set up. 

In this episode: 

• What property fraud is and why it's a growing threat 
• The shocking story of the Graceland deed theft attempt 
• How your house deed works as proof of ownership 
• A free property fraud alert system that protects your home 
• Step-by-step guidance to secure your most valuable asset 

This isn't theory—it's practical protection for your real-world security. Whether you're a first-time homeowner or have owned property for decades, this tip could save you from a nightmare scenario. 

Don't let cybercriminals target your physical assets. Set up your property fraud alert today and subscribe for more practical security tips that make sense! 

#PropertyFraud #Cybersecurity #HomeSecurity #RealEstateFraud #DigitalSecurity #SipCyber 

Transcript

Jen Lotze 0:03

Hey there, coffee lovers and internet explorers. Welcome to Sip Cyber, the podcast that's on a quest for the perfect cup of coffee and the simplest way to keep your digital life safe. We'll travel to small businesses, share their stories, and then get real about a cybersecurity tip that won't make your head spin. So grab your favorite mug and let's get brewing. For today's episode, we're headed to a place that feels both vintage and brand new at the same time, Makwa Coffee in Roseville, Minnesota. They have a variety of seating options, mostly vintage, and even better coffee. They even have these incredible homemade Pop Tarts from a local bakery nearby. There are books and games all over for guests to enjoy. This is the perfect place for connection and the perfect backdrop for today's cybersecurity tip. Today's tip is about protecting your most valuable asset, your property. You've probably heard about cybercrime affecting your bank accounts and credit cards. We've talked about that. But did you know that criminals can also steal your house? This is a growing threat called property fraud, where a criminal can steal your house deed and claim ownership of your property. It's a scary thought, but there is, as always, a simple solution. The lesson is this your house deed is like a receipt for your most expensive purchase. It's the legal document that proves that you own your home. Just as a shop owner would be horrified if a thief forged a receipt to claim their business, a homeowner, you, should be horrified if a criminal forges a deed to claim your property. This is what property fraud does. It's an attack on the very foundation of your real world physical security. You might be thinking this is a rare crime, but it's a very real threat. In fact, it just happened to the most famous house in America, Graceland. Just recently, someone tried to steal the deed to Elvis Presley's mansion and sell it off. It just goes to show that if they can target a property as famous as Graceland, they can target yours too. The good news is that you can fight back with a simple free step to set up a property fraud alert with your local county government. This is a free service that notifies you instantly of any changes or documents filed against your property so you can catch a fraudulent claim before it's too late. It's a small, easy step that provides a massive layer of protection for one of the most valuable things you own. You can do this just by searching Set Up a Property Fraud Alert. It'll take you to a United States website and you'll search your county. Well, that's all for today. Thanks for joining me on this trip to Makwa Coffee and for taking a small step to secure your real world assets. We'll be back next week with another great small business and a new tip. Until then, stay safe and keep sipping.