Home title theft is an increasingly prevalent form of identity theft and fraud, putting homeowners at significant financial risk. This type of theft occurs when a malicious individual gains unauthorized access to one’s property’s title and makes fraudulent changes, potentially leading to severe consequences for the rightful homeowner. Therefore, homeowners must employ various strategies to protect one’s home from this growing threat. Here are some practical ways to safeguard against home title theft. What is a home title? Home title is also called deed fraud or property title fraud. In real estate, a home title is one of the most important legal records establishing one’s ownership rights to a specific property. A title document contains essential information about the property, including its boundaries, ownership history, and any mortgages or liens, and is recorded with a government authority. One must produce this document for property-related transactions, including renting out, sales, loans, or mortgages. Can a home title be stolen? Yes, there are different ways that fraudsters can infiltrate the property title system and gain unauthorized access to a homeowner’s property title. They can then transfer ownership of the property, take out loans against it, or sell it without the owner’s consent. The thief may use various tactics to steal a home’s title, including hacking into online systems or forging signatures on deeds, mortgage documents, or legal papers. Another way this can be done is by impersonating a legal homeowner and breaching the data through different means, including phishing scams, intercepting official mail, or stealing physical documents. Insecure online data can also make a homeowner vulnerable to title theft from cybercriminals. What is the consequence of a stolen home title? Once the title is stolen, it can lead to significant financial and legal consequences and hefty damages for the legitimate homeowner, including the loss of the property, financial liabilities, and a complex legal battle to prove ownership.

The key to getting the most out of home security cameras is strategically placing them. This way, one can actively monitor the entry and exit points around the home. However, choosing the right spot is not easy, and one misplaced camera can render the security system futile due to poor footage. To avoid such unfortunate incidents, it helps to be aware of the worst spots to avoid while installing home security cameras. Six spots to avoid while installing home security cameras A spot that faces the neighbor’s house or yard This is a common mistake many people end up committing while installing their home security camera systems. They place a camera in a spot that gives a complete view of the neighbor’s property, including their house and yard. This will not only prove to be of no use when securing one’s own house but will also lead to conflict with the neighbors due to an invasion of their privacy. This can cause legal problems since it might be considered unlawful surveillance. Also, since the camera is focused on a point outside one’s property, it won’t be useful in preventing any breach or break-in. With the lens focused on outside the property, a blind spot would be obvious to an intruder looking to gain entry into the house. Hidden or obscure spots along the property It may seem like a good idea to place cameras at spots that are not easily visible to everyone. Many homeowners follow this strategy, assuming burglars and intruders look for such spots to break into the property. But this does not happen in most cases. Often, intruders try to get into a home through entry points that are plainly visible to avoid causing alarm or raising suspicion from potential witnesses. Therefore, placing the cameras in easily visible spots such as side alleys, front doors, or facing the front yard is better.

A good home security system is not just a way to deter intruders, it can also protect the occupants from health hazards by detecting gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke, fire, and water damage. So, getting a home alarm system is not a necessary expense but a long-term investment that enhances the safety of the home, occupants, and valuable belongings. It also gives one some peace of mind by making the home safer.  Reasons to get a home alarm system A home alarm system is one of those essential things to consider for preventing events like theft and break-ins. It also serves the following purposes: 1. Protection from intrusion Alarm systems can detect break-ins or intrusions using a sensor network. Motion sensors of the system, installed inside or outside the property, can detect movement. Also, switches mounted on a window alarm trigger an alarm when someone opens it. If the system has a glass break detector, it has an audio sensor that can detect the sound of glass breaking. Some alarm systems come with shock sensors that can detect break-ins through the wall. Based on the detection, the system sends alerts. When the master control panel, or base station, gets an alarm and registers an event, a signal is sent to the monitoring agency. They contact the home occupants and alert the appropriate agency immediately to take action. The concerned agencies will reach the home and investigate. In this way, comprehensive home alarm systems protect the occupants and the property from intruders.  2. Protection from burglary Valuables, like cash, jewelry, artwork, heirlooms, electronic appliances, important documents, furniture, and expensive automobiles are often found in homes. Home alarm systems can reduce the risk of them being stolen by detecting a break-in and alerting home occupants and authorities. In case the authorities do not reach the location in time, the alarm system’s video and photo surveillance can help them investigate and retrieve stolen belongings.