Scam & Fraud Protection
Protecting your home & money from fraud
A paid-off home and a lifetime of savings are exactly what fraudsters hunt for. Three of the most damaging schemes target older adults: stealing your home's title, mortgage and home-equity fraud, and bank-account scams. Here's how each works — and how to lock it all down.
- Sign up for your county's free property-fraud alert (through the Recorder/Register of Deeds).
- Never move money because someone called and told you to — banks never ask you to do that.
- Freeze your credit (free, all three bureaus) so no one can borrow in your name.
- Turn on account alerts and watch for missing bills or statements.
Home title & deed theft
In this scheme, a criminal forges a deed to make it look like your home was sold or transferred — then tries to take out loans against your equity or even "sell" your house. Paid-off homes, vacant or inherited properties, and second homes are favorite targets.
How to protect your title:
- Sign up for your county's free property-fraud alert. Many county Recorder of Deeds (Missouri) and Register of Deeds (Kansas) offices will email you any time a document is recorded against your property. Search your county's office online to enroll.
- Watch your mail. A missing property-tax or mortgage statement can mean someone changed the address on your records — investigate right away.
- Be skeptical of "home title lock" sales pitches. The FTC notes these paid services mostly just monitor your records — which your county often does for free — and they don't actually prevent fraud. You usually don't need to pay for one.
- Keep your deed and property papers secure, and check your property record occasionally on your county's website.
Mortgage & home-equity fraud
These scams go after the equity you've built up over the years:
- Foreclosure "rescue" scams — someone promises to save your home for an upfront fee, then disappears (or tricks you into signing the deed over).
- Reverse-mortgage pressure — high-pressure sales or someone steering you into one to get at the cash. A reverse mortgage is a major decision.
- Equity stripping & fake refinances — loans designed to drain your equity, or "lower your payment" offers that demand fees up front.
How to protect yourself: deal only with your actual lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor (free — find one at hud.gov or 1-800-569-4287). Never pay an upfront fee to "save" your home, never sign blank or incomplete documents, and never sign under pressure. Before any reverse mortgage, talk with a HUD counselor and your family, and see our documents guide.
Bank-account scams
The most damaging one right now is the "your account is compromised" call. Someone posing as your bank's fraud department (or a government agency) says your money is at risk and tells you to move it to a "safe account," withdraw cash, or buy gift cards to "protect" it. It is always a scam. Your real bank will never ask you to move money to keep it safe.
Also watch for account takeover (phishing for your login), Zelle / wire / payment-app requests (those payments are instant and usually can't be reversed), check fraud, and card skimming.
How to protect your accounts:
- Never move money or buy gift cards because someone on the phone told you to — hang up and call your bank's number from your card or statement.
- Turn on transaction alerts and review statements regularly.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on banking and email.
- Slow down on big or unusual transfers — verify independently first.
- Consider adding a "trusted contact" to your accounts, and a durable power of attorney so someone you trust can help if needed.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. If you believe your home title or accounts have been targeted, contact your lender, bank, county deeds office, and a qualified attorney. In an emergency, call 911.