Got a Deed Fraud Alert Email in Arizona? What It Means and What to Do Next

 

You Got a Deed Fraud Alert. Now What?

You did the smart thing and signed up for Arizona's free property alerts. Then one lands in your inbox. Before you panic, figure out which alert it is and what it's telling you.

If It's an ERAS Text or Email (Arizona Department of Real Estate)

What it means: An escrow officer entered a pending sale that matches your property. Nothing has closed yet.

If you're selling: This is expected. Your own sale triggered it. No action needed.

If you're NOT selling: 1. Use the report link in the message to flag the sale as unauthorized. 2. Call the escrow company named in the alert. Look up the number yourself. 3. Tell them you're the owner and you haven't agreed to sell. 4. File reports with local law enforcement and the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Speed matters most here. This is the one alert that fires before money and title change hands.

If It's a County Recorder Alert (Pinal Recording Notification or Maricopa Title Alert)

What it means: A document was already recorded under a name you monitor.

First, open the document. Many alerts are harmless: - A refinance or HELOC you signed - A lien release after a payoff - A document for someone else with the same name, which is common with name-based alerts

Red flags that need action today: - A deed transferring your property that you never signed - A deed of trust (a loan) you never took out - A lien from a company you've never heard of

If you see one: call the county recorder to confirm the document, then a real estate attorney, then law enforcement. Contact your title insurer if you have an owner's policy.

If Pinal County's PAL Program Calls You

What it means: The Assessor's Office received a new deed or a mailing address change for your parcel and wants to confirm you requested it. Answer honestly. If you didn't, say so and ask what they received.

Save This Contact List

• Your escrow or title company
• Pinal County Recorder: 520-866-6830
• Maricopa County Recorder (for the Maricopa side of Queen Creek)
• Arizona Attorney General's Office
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
• A local real estate attorney

Haven't signed up yet? Our comparison guide shows which alerts fit your address: Arizona Deed Fraud Alerts Compared.

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The Kallhoff Team | RE/MAX Premier · 480-275-9566 · kallhoffteam.com