How to Avoid the Florida Vacant Home Scam (and Squatters)

The Sunshine State has seen a significant rise in property crimes, including the alarming “Florida vacant home scam,” also known as home title fraud. This scam involves criminals forging documents to steal ownership of unoccupied properties.

Authorities believe natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton have worsened the problem, leaving many homes vacant for extended periods and vulnerable to fraud.

In this post, we explain how this scam works and what you can do to protect your home — not only from title fraud but also from increased fraudulent activity from squatters targeting vacant Florida houses.

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What is the Florida vacant home scam?

The Florida vacant home scam is a form of home title fraud where criminals forge documents, such as a quitclaim deed, to transfer the ownership of vacant homes to themselves or others. Once they’ve claimed ownership, scammers may attempt to sell the property or use it to secure loans, leaving the rightful owners to deal with the fallout.

This scam often spikes after natural disasters, such as hurricanes, which leave many homes unoccupied for months. Law enforcement has noted a marked increase in cases of home title fraud, with scammers taking advantage of the chaos and extended vacancies caused by these and other events. If you own a vacant Florida home, there are steps you can take to thwart title fraud scammers.

How to protect your home from title fraud

Here are steps you can take to safeguard your home against title fraud:

• Sign up for property fraud alerts: By state law, every county in Florida must provide a free service to alert homeowners if their deeds have been changed. This includes deeds for houses, businesses, and vacant land.
• Secure the property: Use security cameras, alarms, and clear signage to deter unauthorized access to your vacant property.
• Consider title protection services: Title insurance or a title monitoring service can provide an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
• Keep your property looking lived-in: Maintain landscaping, pick up mail, and use timers for lights to create the appearance of occupancy.
• Monitor public records: Regularly check public property records in your county to confirm your ownership remains intact.
• Share information with neighbors: Let trusted neighbors know the property is vacant and ask them to report suspicious activity.