Arizona’s EAS Deed Fraud Alert System Can Warn You Early

A Scottsdale family that had owned its home since 1978 nearly lost it when a criminal impersonated the elderly owner and listed the property for sale. Getting the home back took months and about $20,000.

That type of property theft is known as deed fraud, and it is on the rise in Arizona. The state’s new Early Alert System (EAS), part of Arizona’s deed fraud alert system, aims to protect homeowners by flagging a sale involving your property before it closes. Arizona’s deed fraud alert system helps homeowners to stay informed and secure.

How deed fraud can put a property at risk

Understanding Arizona’s Deed Fraud Alert System

Deed fraud happens when someone impersonates a property owner and attempts to sell a home or parcel they don’t own. In the Scottsdale case, the impersonator nearly completed a sale involving a home that belonged to an elderly owner.

The financial cost can be significant, but so can the time and stress of reclaiming ownership rights after a fraudulent transaction moves forward.

Properties criminals may target

The video identifies several types of Arizona properties that are more likely to attract fraud attempts:

• Vacant homes that do not have someone checking on them regularly.
• Vacant land, where suspicious activity may be less visible.
• Vacation or seasonal properties that sit empty for part of the year.
• Homes owned by elderly people.
• Properties belonging to recently deceased owners.

If a parent or older relative owns a home in Arizona, especially one that sits empty part of the year, it deserves attention.

What Arizona’s Early Alert System does

Arizona launched the Early Alert System, or EAS, to give owners an earlier warning when a sale is associated with their property. The goal is to flag the activity before the transaction closes, rather than after the property has already changed hands.

Understanding Arizona’s deed fraud alert system is crucial for all homeowners. This system provides essential alerts to prevent potential fraudulent activities.

That timing matters in a situation where an impersonator attempts to list and sell a home without the owner’s permission.

EAS is meant to flag a sale before closing, giving the owner a chance to know about the activity sooner.

EAS is different from a county title alert

The video draws a clear distinction between EAS and a county title alert.

A county title alert notifies an owner after the property has closed and the damage has already occurred. EAS is intended to provide notice earlier, while a sale is still in progress.

Those enrolled in Arizona’s deed fraud alert system are often the first to know about any changes related to their property.

Both alerts concern activity tied to a property, but EAS focuses on the point before a sale closes.

Engaging with Arizona’s deed fraud alert system can lead to quicker responses to suspicious activities.

Registering for Arizona property sale alerts

The registration process takes about a minute. To sign up, enter one of the following details for the property:

• Your name
• The property address
• The parcel number

You can sign up for the Arizona Deed Fraud Early Alert System here.  Once the information is entered, the registration is complete.

Register every property that needs monitoring

The alert system is especially relevant for properties that may not receive regular attention. That includes a vacant house, a vacant lot, a vacation home, or a property owned by an elderly family member.

Utilizing Arizona’s deed fraud alert system can significantly reduce the risk of property theft.

If you are helping a parent or older relative who owns an Arizona home, encourage them to register as well. A property that is empty for part of the year can be easier for a criminal to target without the owner noticing right away.

The Arizona’s deed fraud alert system plays a vital role in keeping families informed about their property’s status.

Help protect a parent’s or relative’s Arizona home

The message is straightforward: don’t limit attention to your own primary residence. Look at the properties owned by parents, older relatives, and family members whose homes may be vacant or seasonal.

This proactive measure is part of Arizona’s deed fraud alert system, which aims to safeguard family properties.

Registration is quick, and it can give an owner an early signal if someone attempts to sell a property without permission. That earlier notice may help prevent the long, costly process faced by the Scottsdale family.

For a conversation about a property you own or manage for a parent, contact the Bob Hertzog Home Selling Team.

Register Before a Suspicious Sale Can Close

The benefits of the Arizona’s deed fraud alert system extend beyond just protection; it fosters a sense of security for homeowners.

The Scottsdale case shows how much harm deed fraud can cause when a criminal impersonates an owner and attempts to sell a property. Recovering a home after the fact can take months and cost thousands of dollars.

For those who want to secure their property, registering with Arizona’s deed fraud alert system is a must.

Arizona’s EAS alert system gives owners a way to receive notice before a sale closes. Registering a home, vacant parcel, vacation property, or an older relative’s property takes about a minute using a name, address, or parcel number.

By utilizing Arizona’s deed fraud alert system, homeowners can protect their assets more effectively.