As a Florida homeowner, you work hard to protect your property—your most valuable asset. But while you may be vigilant about storms, leaks, insurance, and home maintenance, there’s another threat that is far less visible and far more dangerous: property fraud.
Also known as deed fraud or title fraud, property fraud occurs when someone illegally records documents—such as a deed or lien—against your home without your knowledge. It’s a crime that can go unnoticed for months or even years, and the consequences can be devastating.
At Reliance Home Watch, part of our mission is to help homeowners stay informed, protected, and prepared. That includes understanding threats that extend beyond the walls of your home. Property fraud is one of them.
What Is Property Fraud?
Property fraud happens when a criminal files forged documents with the county clerk’s office to change the ownership of your property or place fraudulent liens against it.
This can include:
- Recording a fake deed to transfer ownership of your home to someone else
- Taking out loans using your property as collateral
- Placing fraudulent liens against your home
- Attempting to sell your property without your knowledge
Many criminals target homes that are:
- Vacant
- Seasonal or vacation properties
- Rental homes
- Owned by out-of-state or part-time residents
In other words—snowbirds, seasonal residents, and traveling homeowners are primary targets.
Why Florida Homeowners Should Be Concerned
Florida is one of the most active real estate markets in the country, making it attractive to legitimate buyers and unfortunately, fraudsters as well. Because county offices must record deeds and land records—even potentially fraudulent ones—fraud can occur before anyone detects it.
You may not discover the issue until:
- You receive a notice of foreclosure
- You try to sell your home
- You find out someone has “sold” your property
- You receive a lien you did not authorize
By that point, the damage can be complicated and expensive to untangle.
This is not fear—it’s reality. Property fraud is one of the fastest-growing white-collar crimes in the United States.
How Lee County Is Helping Homeowners Stay Protected
The Lee County Clerk of Court now offers a FREE Property Fraud Alert Notification Program, designed to notify homeowners the moment a document is filed under their name or property.
This service is completely free and takes only a few minutes to set up.
When you register, you will receive:
- Instant email alerts when your name or property is used in a recorded document
- Real-time awareness of any suspicious activity
- Early warning so you can take action before fraud escalates
For many homeowners—especially part-time residents, snowbirds, or those away for long periods—this may be the only way to catch fraud quickly.
Why Signing Up Is So Important
Property fraud is difficult to detect without active monitoring. Most people do not regularly review county land records or check their property’s ownership history.
By signing up for the alert system, you gain:
✔ Immediate notification of unusual activity
Instead of discovering fraud months later, you’ll know right away.
✔ Simple, automated protection
No need to manually check records—the system does the monitoring for you.
✔ Peace of mind while you’re away
Whether you’re traveling, seasonal, or own investment property, you’ll stay in the loop.
✔ An added layer of defense
Combined with professional home watch services, you create a powerful shield against both physical and administrative threats to your property.
How to Sign Up (It’s Quick and Free)
Visit the official Lee County Clerk’s Fraud Alert page:
You’ll enter your name, email and/or property information and receive alerts directly to your email. That’s it.
How Reliance Home Watch Supports Your Total Peace of Mind
At Reliance Home Watch, our job goes far beyond checking for leaks, pests, or storm issues. We believe in protecting every aspect of your property—physically and administratively.
By staying informed about programs like the Property Fraud Alert system and encouraging homeowners to use them, we help ensure your investment stays safe—no matter where you are.
Pairing reliable, professional home watch services with county fraud monitoring gives you the security and confidence every Florida homeowner deserves.
If you’d like help learning more about how to protect your home—inside and out—Reliance Home Watch is here to help.
