65+, Mortgage free, or own an unoccupied home?

Published on October 05, 2023

The Kent County Recorder of Deeds is warning of a new scam – “Seller Imposters in Real Estate.”

Someone steals your identity, then poses as you to sell your property.  The Secret Service issued a warning about this in March.  Per the Kent County Association of Realtors, in one week in May, five Dover area homes were put up for sale by imposters.

If you are a buyer, be on the lookout for quick cash sales, sellers who only communicate via email or text who want fast closing, and to use their own Notary. Often, there is foreign country involvement.  

Folks who are most vulnerable to be impersonated as sellers are those over 65, people with mortgage free houses, or people with unoccupied houses or vacant lots. 

Like all property frauds, this is a rare event.  According to the FBI, only 11578 cases were reported in 2021.  But these few cases had $350M dollars’ worth of damage—an average of more than $30K per instance!  Thus, while rare, it is devastating when it happens.

Please visit the Kent County website, select Deeds Search, then select “Property Theft Alert” on the right side of the page.  Register to receive an email whenever a transaction is recorded by the Deeds office on property affiliated with your name.  There is no cost to register. 

Even if not in the targeted population, it is a good idea to be alerted when any document is recorded in your name.  Better safe than sorry.  Plus, it is total transparency in how well the Deeds office is doing its job. 

Call Kent County Recorder of Deeds Eugenia Thornton at 302 744 2314 or email Recorder@KentCountyde.gov for more details or help registering.