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Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention

If you have been the victim of deed theft, complete the Deed Theft Prevention Intake Form. The Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention will help you.

The Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention works to protect New York City homeowners from deed theft, a type of fraud in which someone records a false or deceptive deed, mortgage, or other property document without the owner’s knowledge or consent.

The office is housed within the Department of Finance and coordinates a citywide effort to prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to deed theft.

What is deed theft?

Deed theft occurs when someone uses fraud, deception, coercion, or false documents to take ownership or control of a property without the rightful owner’s knowledge or consent.

Homeowners may be targeted through forged documents, fake sales, predatory contracts, foreclosure rescue scams, or other schemes designed to transfer or encumber a property unlawfully.

Such fraud may occur through complex financial transactions intended to obtain home title through means that seem legal.

Who is at risk?

Any homeowner can be targeted. Deed theft has affected homeowners across New York City, with complaints concentrated primarily in Brooklyn and Queens. Scammers have often targeted vulnerable homeowners, including seniors, immigrants, and homeowners in historically Black neighborhoods.

What the Office of Deed Theft Prevention does

The Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention coordinates work across City agencies and with state and local partners to:

  • Prevent and detect deed theft
  • Review suspicious property filings
  • Support investigations and enforcement efforts
  • Help homeowners report suspected deed theft
  • Conduct public education and outreach
  • Promote tools that alert owners to changes in property records
  • Help victims navigate property record correction and related property tax relief processes

How to report suspected deed theft

If you believe you may be the victim of deed theft, or if you notice suspicious activity involving your property records, take these steps:

  1. Complete the Deed Theft Prevention Intake Form for assistance from the Office of Deed Theft Prevention.
  2. We also encourage you to report the alleged theft to the district attorney’s office in the borough where the property is located.

You should report suspected deed theft as soon as possible. The sooner suspicious activity is identified, the sooner the City and its partners may be able to review the matter and help connect you with available resources.

What happens after I report suspected deed theft?

The Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention can help review your complaint, identify next steps, and connect you with the appropriate City, state, legal, or enforcement partners.

Depending on the facts of your case, this may include the review of recorded property documents, referral to enforcement partners, assistance in correcting property records, or guidance on related property tax issues.

Protect your property

Homeowners can take steps to help protect themselves from deed theft.

Stay informed:

Beware of suspicious offers:

  • Speak with a trusted attorney or housing counselor before signing documents related to your home, mortgage, foreclosure, or ownership rights.
  • Do not sign papers you do not understand.
  • Be cautious if someone pressures you to sign documents quickly.
  • Be wary of anyone promising to “save” your home from foreclosure in exchange for signing over ownership or control of the property.

Be prepared:

  • Make a will or transfer-on-death deed to ensure that family and loved ones you designate will have undisputed ownership rights in the future.
  • When a family member passes away and someone else inherits the property, make sure you update the deed with the new owner’s name.
  • Buy title insurance. It's a one-time fee that varies depending on the purchase value of your home.
  • Discuss with your trusted family members or consult a lawyer before making any decisions that affect ownership of your property, such as adding or removing someone from a deed or taking out a new mortgage, reverse mortgage, or second mortgage.

Resources

Frequently asked questions

Is deed theft the same as a property tax issue?
No. Deed theft is a property ownership and fraud issue. However, deed theft can affect property records and property tax matters. The Office of Deed Theft Prevention can help homeowners navigate related DOF processes where applicable.

Can DOF undo a fraudulent deed?
Property ownership disputes and deed correction can involve legal proceedings and other agencies or courts. DOF can help review records, identify suspected fraud, and connect homeowners with appropriate resources, but not every issue can be resolved by DOF alone.

Should I keep paying my property taxes if I suspect deed theft?
Do not ignore property tax bills or notices. Contact DOF for guidance if you believe your property records or tax bills have been affected by deed theft.

What if I already signed something?
You should still report the matter. Some deed theft schemes involve coercion, deception, or documents that were not properly explained. Keep copies of anything you signed and any communications you received.

What if I am in foreclosure?
Be especially cautious of anyone promising a quick rescue or asking you to transfer ownership of your home. Report suspicious offers and seek help from a trusted legal services provider or housing counselor before signing anything.

Should I report deed theft to the district attorney’s office?
We encourage you to report deed theft to the district attorney’s office. You should report the alleged theft to the office of the borough in which the property is located.