Georgia Homeowners: How to Protect Your Property From Deed Fraud

A property doesn't have to be listed for sale for someone to try to sell it.

That may sound alarming, but it's an important reality for Georgia homeowners, landowners, investors and landlords to understand.

Recently, we encountered a disturbing situation involving a Georgia land lot. An individual claimed to be the property owner and attempted to move forward with a sale.

The actual owner, however, had never listed the property for sale.

After the information was verified with the true owner, the situation was stopped.

Unfortunately, this type of property-owner impersonation isn't merely hypothetical. In June 2026, the FBI issued a public warning about criminals impersonating owners of vacant property parcels and attempting to sell those properties without the owners' knowledge or consent. According to the FBI, scammers may use fake identification, email addresses and phone numbers to impersonate legitimate owners and may contact real estate professionals and title companies while posing as the property owner.

What Is Deed or Property Fraud?

Property fraud can take several forms, but one particularly concerning scenario involves someone pretending to be the legitimate owner of a property.

The criminal may obtain publicly available or stolen personal information, create convincing documentation, impersonate the owner and then attempt to market the property or enter into a sales contract.

The FBI notes several potential warning signs, including sellers who communicate only electronically, pressure professionals to close quickly, demonstrate limited knowledge of the property, provide inconsistent information or request suspicious payment arrangements.

4 Ways Georgia Property Owners Can Be More Proactive

1. Register for Georgia Filing Activity Notifications

One of the easiest steps Georgia property owners can take is registering for the Filing Activity Notification System, or FANS, operated by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

FANS allows individuals to create notification criteria and receive alerts when certain real estate and personal property records are filed and indexed in Georgia's participating court-record system.

?? Register for Georgia FANS

FANS is a free, voluntary notification service, but it is important to understand what it does—and doesn't—do.

It does not prevent fraud. The GSCCCA also states that notifications depend on information entered and transmitted by the appropriate Clerk of Superior Court and are not guaranteed to be comprehensive, accurate, complete or current.

Think of it as an early-warning tool, not a substitute for vigilance.

2. Pay Special Attention to Vacant and Investment Properties

If you live in your home every day, unusual activity may be easier to notice.

But what about:

• Vacant land?
• A rental property?
• A second home?
• An inherited property?
• A property in another city?
• A property you visit only occasionally?

These properties can be more difficult to monitor.

Consider periodic inspections or having someone you trust keep an eye on the property. Appropriate security or trail cameras may also provide another layer of awareness where permitted and appropriate.

An unexpected real estate sign, showing or other activity should prompt questions.

3. Don't Wait If Something Looks Wrong

If you learn that someone may be attempting to sell your property without authorization, act quickly.

Contact the real estate professional, title company or closing attorney involved and clearly explain that you are the legitimate owner.

Preserve evidence, including:

• Emails
• Text messages
• Listing information
• Contracts
• Names and phone numbers
• Screenshots
• Documents
• Any suspicious communications

You may also want to consult a qualified real estate attorney about your individual circumstances, including questions about title protection and available legal remedies.

This article is general educational information and isn't legal advice.

4. Consider Reporting the Attempt

If the suspected fraud involved internet communications or other cyber-enabled activity, you can submit a report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

The FBI specifically advises victims or people aware of parcel-owner impersonation schemes to report them through IC3 and provide relevant information such as contact information, phone numbers, email addresses and payment details when available.

?? Report suspected cyber-enabled fraud to IC3

You can also contact your local law enforcement agency regarding an attempted or completed fraudulent transaction and ask how they recommend proceeding.

One More Important Lesson for Real Estate Professionals

This isn't only a homeowner issue.

Real estate agents, title companies, attorneys and other professionals involved in transactions also have an important role in identifying suspicious seller behavior.

The FBI's June 2026 warning highlights several red flags, including a supposed seller who:

• Refuses to meet in person
• Claims illness, travel or emergencies as reasons for avoiding an in-person meeting
• Pushes for an unusually fast closing
• Offers a property below market value to speed up the sale
• Has limited knowledge about the property
• Provides inconsistent information
• Requests unusual wire-transfer arrangements
• Presents suspicious or unusual documentation

None of these signs alone necessarily proves fraud—but multiple red flags deserve additional scrutiny.

The Bottom Line

Don't assume your property is safe simply because you haven't put it on the market.

Property owners should know what is happening with their assets and take reasonable steps to monitor them.

A few minutes spent setting up notifications, checking an investment property and staying aware could potentially help you discover suspicious activity much sooner.

?? Have a Georgia property you don't regularly visit?

Whether you own vacant land, an investment property, a second home or your primary residence, I'd be happy to help you think through the real-estate side of protecting and monitoring your property.

Let's keep Georgia homeowners informed, vigilant and protected.

Julia De Sosa-Rocha
Associate Broker | eXp Realty
Julia De Sosa-Rocha & Associates

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For questions involving title, deed, fraud, ownership rights or legal remedies, consult a qualified attorney.

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