What is deed theft and how does it happen?

Deed theft happens when someone forges or fraudulently files a deed transferring ownership of a property without the real owner's knowledge or consent, often targeting vacant homes, rental properties, or owners who are elderly or out of the area. It typically relies on the county recording system accepting a filing without verifying its legitimacy at the time of recording. Brian Beatty can point homeowners toward the county register of deeds to check their property's current recorded status.