When it comes to securing our homes, we often focus on locking our doors and securing our valuables. However, there’s a threat out there that many homeowners may not be aware of: home title theft.
Can your home be stolen by hackers?
It may sound slightly ridiculous, but home title theft is a real concern, and it can result in your home being stolen by cybercriminals. Such a crime doesn’t involve physically removing your house but rather manipulating the records that prove your ownership of the property.
What is home title theft?
Home title theft is a form of fraud that occurs when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to your property’s title, transfer it to their name, and potentially sell, borrow against, or even leverage it for financial gain without your knowledge. Essentially, it means that your property can be “stolen” by hackers without them ever setting foot on your doorstep.
How does home title theft happen?
Home title theft can happen in a variety of ways, but the following are several of the most common:
- Phishing scams
Cybercriminals often use phishing emails, phone calls, or text messages to trick homeowners into inadvertently sharing personal information. They may impersonate legitimate organizations or government agencies and request sensitive details like Social Security numbers, property information, or online account login credentials. - Data breaches
Home title thieves may acquire your personal information from data breaches, which could have exposed details like your name, Social Security number, address, and more. - Missing documents
Physical documents related to your property, such as deeds or mortgage papers, can be stolen or lost, potentially falling into the wrong hands. This can provide criminals with the information they need to commit home title theft. - Stolen mail
Mail theft is another method criminals use to access sensitive documents. If your property-related mail, such as mortgage statements, is stolen, it could be used in fraudulent activities.
How to prevent home title theft
While home title theft is a concerning issue, there are several things you can do to protect yourself.
- Secure your personal info
Protect your personal data by being vigilant about cybersecurity. Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious about sharing personal information online. - Beware of scams
Be wary of unsolicited offers related to your property, especially those that involve money, deeds, or contracts. - Consider title lock insurance
Title lock insurance can provide an extra layer of protection against home title theft. It can help cover legal fees and other costs in case of home title theft. - Check out ID Protection
Trend Micro ID Protection gives you all the tools you need to improve your online privacy and shield against identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized access to your online accounts. Its comprehensive range of features includes personal identity monitoring, social media monitoring, a secure password manager, and a privacy-enhancing browser extension.
With ID Protection you can…
- Receive alerts if your personal info gets leaked.
- Protect against online threats, such as phishing scams.
- Stop sites from collecting privacy-compromising data.
- Safeguard your social media accounts against hackers.
- Create, store, and manage strong, tough-to-hack passwords.
What’s even better is that you can enjoy a 100% unrestricted, 30-day free trial of ID Protection’s paid versions, so that you can take advantage of all its awesome features and start securing your identity and privacy today! Click the button below to get started!
If you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected. Also, please consider clicking the LIKE button below and leaving a comment to tell us what you think!
