Minnesota Land Fraud Alert: Protect Your Home from Deed & Title Theft

Jason Huerkamp · Living in MinneapolisSeptember 24, 202522:02149 views

About this video

Think your Minnesota property is safe? Think again.

Land fraud—also known as deed or title fraud—is one of the fastest-growing real estate scams. Criminals forge deeds, steal titles, and can even sell property that isn’t theirs—sometimes before the real owners know anything is wrong.

In this video, we sit down with a Minnesota title expert to explain:

Don’t wait until it’s too late—protect your biggest investment.

Key takeaways

Jason talks with Lisa McKenzie of Stone Arch Title about deed and title fraud. She cites figures that about 50% of real estate professionals were affected by some form of fraud in 2024 and 28% of title companies saw seller impersonation attempts.
Red flags from a would-be seller: you've never met them in person, they want to communicate only by email, text or WhatsApp, they're "out of the country," the price is below market, they want a fast cash closing, and they insist on their own title company.
Vacant land and empty rentals are common targets. Even famous homes like Graceland and the Spelling Manor were hit by fraudulent claims that took years to resolve in court.
Free protection: sign up for property fraud alerts with your county recorder so you're notified if anything is recorded against your property, and keep your contact information current with a personal email.
Owner's title insurance is a one-time cost that protects you for as long as you own the home, covering issues like forged deeds, missed tax liens, judgments or mechanic's liens from prior owners.
Wire fraud: never trust wiring instructions sent by email. Reputable title companies deliver them through a secure, verified system and confirm by phone. Use two-factor authentication, unique passwords and a SIM PIN.

Questions this video answers

How do I protect my home from title fraud in Minnesota?

Sign up for your county recorder's free property alert so you're notified of any filing on your property, keep your contact information current, and buy an owner's title insurance policy when you purchase.

Do I need owner's title insurance?

It's optional but recommended. It's a one-time fee that protects you as long as you own the home against problems like forged deeds or liens a previous title search missed.

How do I avoid wire fraud when buying a house?

Never use wiring instructions sent by email. Get them through your title company's secure system, call a known number to confirm before sending money, and use two-factor authentication on your accounts.

Notes written by Huerkamp Home Group from this video. Figures are as stated in the video on September 24, 2025; check the current numbers in our market reports.