Last month you probably heard that hackers stole the personal data of up to 143 million Americans in the Equifax breach. You might have frozen your credit cards as a safeguard, but did you know that hackers could use your personal information to steal your home?
If someone has your social security number, driver’s license number and birthdate, then they can also have access to your signature if you’ve ever signed a grant deed (property deed) that was publicly recorded. Worst case scenario, an imposter with all of your personal information could go into a county recorder’s office with a properly filled out and notarized deed, and the recorder’s office is obligated to record the document. And just like that, you’ve lost the title to your home.
Luckily, there are ways you can safeguard yourself to protect against losing your biggest asset – your home. In Orange County, local officials notify property owners by mail when documents are recorded against their parcels. If you receive notice that unauthorized documents have been recorded on your home, report it to your local FBI field office or online at tips.fbi.gov. And, if your identity has been assumed, ask the credit bureau to print a statement to that effect in your credit report.
How You Can Protect Yourself
- If you get a letter from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s office or from your lender, look into it immediately.
- Know what you are signing and keep a copy of it.
- Never sign away your deed. You are still liable on the loan so any foreclosure will destroy your credit.
- Never sign a blank document.
Potential Homebuyer Advice
If you aren’t a homeowner but you hope to be someday soon, it’s important to make sure you haven’t been affected by the breach as well. The last thing you need is fraudulent charges hurting your credit score and your dream of a new home. To check if you were in fact affected by the Equifax breach, go online at trustedidpremier.com/eligibility/eligibility.html.
If you have been affected, mortgage and credit experts suggest you should contact each of the big credit-reporting companies immediately to freeze your credit. You can do so online or by calling them. Here are the numbers:
- Equifax: 800-349-9960
- Experian: 888‑397‑3742
- TransUnion: 888-909-8872
Freezing your credit is the best thing to do to because you can still use your credit cards with the freezes on, but no one will be able to check credit scores and personal information without your permission. This ensures no unwanted parties can open up fraudulent new cards or get loans under your name. And you can undo the freezes at any time—typically for a small fee.
If you have more questions about the Equifax breach or need help verifying that your home title is secure, reach out and we’ll connect you with a knowledgeable First Team agent in your neighborhood.
