The Philadelphia Department of Records is taking a big step to protect your home from thieves. Starting now, we are using a new computer system to stop one of the most common types of deed fraud.

What is deed fraud?

Deed fraud happens when someone creates fake papers that make it look like they own your house. One common trick is when thieves pretend to be a homeowner who has passed away. They forge that person’s signature on a deed and bring it to our office to record.

Once the fake deed is recorded, the thief can sell the property or take out loans against it. The real family members often don’t know until much later, and then they have to fight a long, expensive court battle to get their home back.

Our new solution

Our new system automatically checks if the person signing over a property was alive when they signed the papers. If our system shows the person had already passed away, we won’t record the deed.

This check happens instantly for deeds brought to our office in person or sent by mail. For most regular property transfers, you won’t notice any delay at all.

What if there’s a mistake?

No system is perfect. If you believe our system made a mistake, you can provide proof that the person was alive when they signed the deed. We’ll review your information and record your deed if we made a mistake.

Who this helps

This new system especially helps:

·       Families who have lost loved ones

·       Seniors who own their homes

·       Communities where deed fraud is common

·       Anyone who can’t afford expensive court cases

When will this start?

The new system is now active and protecting Philadelphia homeowners.

Learn more

Want to learn more about protecting your home from fraud? Visit our office or check our website for free guides and tips. Your home is important to you—and it’s important to us too.