Anybody here use the home title lock protection?

[DILLIGAF]

I own my place as I paid cash for it and some scams have been going around locally to "steal" peoples property and lands buy changing the title and then taking out loans.

I guess in todays world it makes sense to have some kind of notification when your title gets "touched".

Anybody use this service or have any opinions on it......I never worried about this stuff before but it would be devastating to me if it happened.

America’s Leader In TripleLock Title Fraud Protection - House Stealing & Title Theft Monitoring

Home Title Lock, America’s Leader In TripleLock Title Fraud Protection, forms a virtual barrier around your home's title by monitoring it 24/7 to help protect you from cybercriminals both foreign and domestic. Like us on Facebook.

www.hometitlelock.com

Is this Title Lock worth it? Does it work? Anybody using this? Is it just another way to get some subscription based service from the masses? Are there other options available? It is $199. per year for the "lock down" service.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks

 

[BabyRay]

You had me wondering about this, but I noticed it talked about monitoring, and didn’t say anything about prevention. Here’s what I found with a quick search.

Home title lock insurance? Not a lock at all

If you’ve seen ads for home title lock insurance, they might have you worried. After all, the ads say thieves can steal the title to your home. But then the ads tell you to buy title lock insurance to supposedly prevent home title theft. Stop. Take a breath. It’s just a ploy to scare you.

consumer.ftc.gov

 

[TimeBandit]

Los Angeles county has a deal where they notify you if any changes are made.

the service is no charge, I found it somewhere on their website?

 

[DILLIGAF]

You had me wondering about this, but I noticed it talked about monitoring, and didn’t say anything about prevention. Here’s what I found with a quick search.

Home title lock insurance? Not a lock at all

If you’ve seen ads for home title lock insurance, they might have you worried. After all, the ads say thieves can steal the title to your home. But then the ads tell you to buy title lock insurance to supposedly prevent home title theft. Stop. Take a breath. It’s just a ploy to scare you.

consumer.ftc.gov

Interesting info.

They do a pretty good scare job on peeps who don't take the time to look into it.

I am going to call the title company that handled my purchase and see what they have to say as well.

I want to look further into this. Hopefully someone is using the service or has used the service and can provide some "customer" input into this

 

[DILLIGAF]

Los Angeles county has a deal where they notify you if any changes are made.

the service is no charge, I found it somewhere on their website?

I am going to search the State of Texas for that....notify would usually suffice I would think.

 

[GETBOATS]

My guess and first impression, like identity theft protection, its just an insurance product. Your premiums "fix" it after the fact.

 

[Aces & Eights]

Los Angeles county has a deal where they notify you if any changes are made.

the service is no charge, I found it somewhere on their website?

Here is the link for Los Angeles County

https://assessor.lacounty.gov/news-information/enotification

 

[dribble]

My guess and first impression, like identity theft protection, its just an insurance product. Your premiums "fix" it after the fact.

From what I understand, they don’t pay you off, they pay your legal bills to fight it.

 

[Flatsix66]

I see the commercials for it but never knew anyone in my orbit that has been a victim of this without other unusual factors in their life - co-owners, death, bankruptcy, 2nd loan scam...

 

[bowtiejunkie]

Check County Clerk section of your County website. For Collin County, TX they offer free alerts. One alert is when a document is recorded in the County Clerk's Official Public Records.

A separate alert is a Property Fraud Alert (free online subscription through Fidlar Technolgies). In summary, this service will monitor your name within the Recorder's office to track possible fraudulent recordings affects your property. This is specifically geared towards mortgage fraud and identity theft. While not preventing fraud from happening, it's an early warning system for property owners to take action in the event they determine fraudulent activity has taken place. Sounds like this is what you're looking for and no $199/yr fee.

 

[DLC]

You can create an account at the county clerk and get notified by e mail if any changes are attempted on your title.

If you have a living trust place the home in your trust, that can add a layer of protection

 

[RiverDave]

I would think your home owners insurance would cover someone potentially stealing your home?

If someone took loans out in my name I think I’d tell the lender that I wish them luck in recovering their money and perhaps they should do more diligence on their end because I didn’t sign up for their services or receive their product?

RD

 

[ArizonaKevin]

I would think your home owners insurance would cover someone potentially stealing your home?

If someone took loans out in my name I think I’d tell the lender that I wish them luck in recovering their money and perhaps they should do more diligence on their end because I didn’t sign up for their services or receive their product?

RD

Not something that homeowners insurance would cover as far as I'm aware. Theft of personal property is covered like if someone breaks into your house and steals shit, but this sort of thing is fraud. Like if someone steals your identity your HO insurance cover that, same idea. I may be wrong, been out of the game for a while now.

 

[clark]

I have LifeLock and their program includes home title protection as well as monitoring all of your bank accounts, retirement acounts etc etc it is very good and very reasonable

 

[Gramps]

Los Angeles county has a deal where they notify you if any changes are made.

the service is no charge, I found it somewhere on their website?

same deal here in Utah, Washington County

 

[2Driver]

This thread was very helpful.

I just got on Maricopa’s TitleAlert.Maricopa.Gov. site and signed up for free.

BTW you can also freeze your credit at the 3 credit bureaus so no one can get loan approval until you unfreeze it.

 

[stillhustlin]

I’ve always heard you should get approved for a heloc when a home is paid off. I believe just getting approved they will record something against title and it costs nothing. This will detour potential thief's or attorneys from property theft.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I’ve always heard you should get approved for a heloc when a home is paid off. I believe just getting approved they will record something against title and it costs nothing. This will detour potential thief's or attorneys from property theft.

Hmmmmm

 

[TX Laramie]

Having a first lien in place with a financial institution you bank with on the property is the first and best line of protection and notification.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Having a first lien in place with a financial institution you bank with on the property is the first and best line of protection and notification.

I owe nothing so no lien

 

[C-2]

Extinguishing equity via a fake private trust deed/mortgage is a common method of concealing assets from judgment creditors, so I can see how it would work in this instance, too.

On a non-titled insured transaction, the lender/beneficiary could be a fictitious person or entity under your control. On its face the fake loan would loook like a hard money loan.

That way you are not paying loan fees and interest on a legit loan/lien.

The idea behind a fake loan is not to be the low hanging fruit; a scammer will simply move on to another property rather than run in an in-depth profile to see if the liens are bonafide.

There's a title expert on here, let's see what he thinks about the insurance product. I'm curious too.

 

[Good Stuff]

Extinguishing equity via a fake private trust deed/mortgage is a common method of concealing assets from judgment creditors, so I can see how it would work in this instance, too.

On a non-titled insured transaction, the lender/beneficiary could be a fictitious person or entity under your control. On its face the fake loan would loook like a hard money loan.

That way you are not paying loan fees and interest on a legit loan/lien.

The idea behind a fake loan is not to be the low hanging fruit; a scammer will simply move on to another property rather than run in an in-depth profile to see if the liens are bonafide.

There's a title expert on here, let's see what he thinks about the insurance product. I'm curious too.

Home title lock is a waste of money.

At least in California any title company that doesn’t catch a fraud sale would be liable to unwind and make whole anyone affected by the sale. Title insurance is required on any realtor transaction using standard forms. We have crazy fraud protections in place and between escrow, title, & realtors have had a lot of success catching fraud deals. Scammers typically target vacant land that is free and clear and attempt to sell it but even that has enough of a process that we can smell the BS. None of the scams will result in you actually losing your home unless you were the buyer who fell for said scam and ended up unable to actually take possession of said home. The most recent high profile scam was the Presley family fake foreclosure scam that happened this past year and was shut down.

Federal grand jury hears testimony on scam to steal Graceland from Elvis Presley’s family

The witnesses included a former acquaintance of a Branson, Missouri, woman with a long history of scams, forged checks and fraud.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[DILLIGAF]

Home title lock is a waste of money.

At least in California any title company that doesn’t catch a fraud sale would be liable to unwind and make whole anyone affected by the sale. Title insurance is required on any realtor transaction using standard forms. We have crazy fraud protections in place and between escrow, title, & realtors have had a lot of success catching fraud deals. Scammers typically target vacant land that is free and clear and attempt to sell it but even that has enough of a process that we can smell the BS. None of the scams will result in you actually losing your home unless you were the buyer who fell for said scam and ended up unable to actually take possession of said home. The most recent high profile scam was the Presley family fake foreclosure scam that happened this past year and was shut down.

Federal grand jury hears testimony on scam to steal Graceland from Elvis Presley’s family

The witnesses included a former acquaintance of a Branson, Missouri, woman with a long history of scams, forged checks and fraud.

www.nbcnews.com

So dont worry about it and if it does happen the title co representing the buyer would have to settle it all up? I am in Texas and the one deal that got my interest was a vacant land parcel

 

[Good Stuff]

So dont worry about it and if it does happen the title co representing the buyer would have to settle it all up? I am in Texas and the one deal that got my interest was a vacant land parcel

Texas has some attorney tie in with the title companies so I don’t know all the ins and outs. I would just reach out to the company that insured your purchase and ask them what they think. Many companies include free monitoring systems and several California counties and title companies inform clients at the tax mailing address of any pending or recent recordings. My clients who use LLC’s to flip homes are notified by my company when we get an open order that a property owned by their LLC is under transaction. They always ask why we waste postage and paper to send that and I tell them if they weren’t the ones selling they would want to know.

 

[LazyLavey]

Los Angeles county has a deal where they notify you if any changes are made.

the service is no charge, I found it somewhere on their website?

Ventura as well. Does it work?? dont know, haven't be notified of any mischief

 

[FreeBird236]

Mohave county started a notification program about a year ago and we signed up, one-time $50 fee if I remember correctly.

 

[TX Laramie]

I owe nothing so no lien

I noted you own the property free and clear, but to echo what was posted by someone else...heloc. something that gets your financial institution first. They will protect their collateral.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I noted you own the property free and clear, but to echo what was posted by someone else...heloc. something that gets your financial institution first. They will protect their collateral.

Yes. That was pretty creative and makes sense.

 

[C-2]

Why a HELOC, don't most of them have a drawn down period with a minimum draw amount to entice a lender to make the loan? Why would a lender give you a loan without making money on it? Wouldn't that be an expensive solution to a problem that may never exist?

(asking not challenging anybody's knowledge)

 

[TX Laramie]

It might not have to be a HELOC.

Maybe a small loan to repair a roof or expand a garage or maybe buy a bull dozer for your property. Bull dozer is great for ranch property.
The loan should be with the people you bank with on daily basis. The bank's first lien is first line protection!

 

[DILLIGAF]

Why a HELOC, don't most of them have a drawn down period with a minimum draw amount to entice a lender to make the loan? Why would a lender give you a loan without making money on it? Wouldn't that be an expensive solution to a problem that may never exist?

(asking not challenging anybody's knowledge)

I had one years ago. I dont remember any timeframe attached. Was given checks to write out whenever I wanted to. No charges or anything till used but it was long ago.

 

[C-2]

I am going thru a heloc now and they require I take a substantial draw against the line, my draw period is 5 years. I too mistakenly and foolishly thought you could simply get a line and park it without any activity. Nope

---

Also, for the fraud cases I have seen, part of theft includes stolen or fake notary stamps. Scammers record a fraudulent/false reconveyance showing an existing loan was paid in full. Next, the property is fraudulently "sold" to the scammer, who obtains a new loan and walks away with the proceeds.

So it appears the alerts offered by the counties themselves seem to be the best bet.

 

[Perlmudder]

Hmmmmm

This is what we do in Canada. If a house is paid off, get e HELOC with you bank and since they are on title, the protect the collateral. You don't have to use the HELOC and there is no interest charge unless it is used. Again, this is how it works in Canada.

 

[DILLIGAF]

This is what we do in Canada. If a house is paid off, get e HELOC with you bank and since they are on title, the protect the collateral. You don't have to use the HELOC and there is no interest charge unless it is used. Again, this is how it works in Canada.

Canada and texas might be a wee bit different. Lol

Going to check into it

 

[aka619er]

I am looking into this now in AZ. Its supposed to be free by 2025 and I see some counties that have their systems up and running. I plan to call Yuma county recorders office tomorrow to see how to do this.

 

[79 HUSTLER]

Mohave county started a notification program about a year ago and we signed up, one-time $50 fee if I remember correctly.

Do you happen to have any other information regarding this?

 

[aka619er]

Do you happen to have any other information regarding this?

I read this article while looking into this yesterday. According to this, all Arizona residents should have this by 2025. Not sure when Mohave or Yuma are going to roll it out though or if they already are. https://www.bivenslaw.com/elder-law...tice-service-dont-be-a-victim-of-title-fraud/

 

[FreeBird236]

Do you happen to have any other information regarding this?

Just go to the county recorder's office, 2001 college Dr. Ste. 93 it's across from College St. Brewery. You can access the office from the No. side of the building. There was no waiting the day we were there, and it took about 15 min. to fill out the form. Like I mentioned before it was $50. Can't remember if I needed anything except my current driver's license. You can give them a call 928 453 0702 ext. 3021, closed 12-1 PM for lunch.

 

[mjc]

Do you happen to have any other information regarding this?

I just did this online on the Mohave county website took just a few minutes and no fee. Got an email that is was done later that day.

 

[FreeBird236]

I just did this online on the Mohave county website took just a few minutes and no fee. Got an email that is was done later that day.

We did it last year and they notarized our signatures, which I think was part of the fee. It's great if they have a new way.

 

[DILLIGAF]

just checked with my county recorder. they do not offer the service to notify and gave me the internet loc to check on the title. in the public arena for all to see. next call is to my title company.

 

[79 HUSTLER]

I read this article while looking into this yesterday. According to this, all Arizona residents should have this by 2025. Not sure when Mohave or Yuma are going to roll it out though or if they already are. https://www.bivenslaw.com/elder-law...tice-service-dont-be-a-victim-of-title-fraud/

Thank you!

 

[79 HUSTLER]

Just go to the county recorder's office, 2001 college Dr. Ste. 93 it's across from College St. Brewery. You can access the office from the No. side of the building. There was no waiting the day we were there, and it took about 15 min. to fill out the form. Like I mentioned before it was $50. Can't remember if I needed anything except my current driver's license. You can give them a call 928 453 0702 ext. 3021, closed 12-1 PM for lunch.

Thank you, I appreciate the info.

 

[79 HUSTLER]

I just did this online on the Mohave county website took just a few minutes and no fee. Got an email that is was done later that day.

Great, thank you.

 

[DILLIGAF]

So I just had a frank discussion with my title co that handled this purchase in July

She said it is rare it happens but does and even rarer based on me having:

Owner occupied
Homestead exemption

Their insurance only covers that transaction they handled.

Most of this fraud happens with non owner occupied properties.

Yes, a heloc established even without drawing from may help add a bit more protection. She said I am living her dream of being mortgage free and would hate to do that herself. Personally because its rare to happen she isnt one to use the home title protection option.

Bottom line I will just check the county website for any potential changes on the title. No big deal as I am on the computer daily.

Had no idea the interest about this on here. suggestions were appreciated. My county does not allow to sign up and get notifies as I stated earlier. If your county does that I would suggest doing that.

IMO with stolen ID and the growth of AI this kind of fraud will probably grow in the future.

 

[C-2]

Honestly I'm wondering if it's a money grab and the counties are simply monetizing an automated process.

If it didn't happen too much when they recorded docs the old fashioned way, then why now? Docs are scanned in real-time. Legal descrips, parcel numbers, loan numbers, everything goes in instantly. Surely the title companies and lenders have their own systems that would flag any changes; afterall, they have a vested interest in covering their asses aagainst claims.

With physical docs, scammers had time to perpetrate the crime before lenders and title companies discovered the fraud.

This reminds me of credit reporting agencies and how they sell your information to marketers. Huge industry and the .gov cannot stop them.

They say they won't sell your info, and you can opt out and all that BS, but nothing stops the culprits (the credit reporting companies) . I'm opted out of everything, I have an FTC do not call registration, I specifically opted out of Lexis/Nexis, and I routinely scan the Internet to make sure my info does not pop up.

Despite all this, recently I received 47 spam calls within 6-hours of a lender pulling a mortgage app on me. I'm still receiving them but now it's down to about 20 per day. Before the credit pull, I received maybe a dozen or so sales call per week.

 

[RichL]

This conversation got me to look into my options, locally. Will be stopping at the County Recorder's office tomorrow with the goal of signing up here.

 

[Flatsix66]

This is the link for Mohave county https://eaglerss.mohave.gov/web/fraudGuard/disclaimerPage

 

[Go-Fly]

90% of home scams, the home owner is involved. The other 9.9% is the government making a mistake on taxes and sales your property to collect. A whole can of worms in itself. The last .1% is a true scam and you need to make a police report and have a judge freeze all transactions or rescind any contract. It's not like anyone is going to show up in court to defend themselves.