Quitclaim deeds are commonly used in Washington real estate to quickly transfer ownership between trusted parties like family members or business partners. However, their lack of warranty or protection makes them vulnerable to fraud. Scammers can forge signatures, use false identification, or manipulate county clerks into recording false transfers, often without the knowledge of the rightful owner. Once recorded, these fraudulent deeds allow criminals to sell the property or borrow against its equity, leaving victims with costly legal battles.
Homeowners in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and across King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties should be aware of warning signs such as unexplained changes in ownership records, missing details in documents, or deed filings they never signed. To protect themselves, property owners can monitor their titles through county offices, work with trusted title companies, and even file notices of interest to block suspicious claims. If fraud occurs, quick legal action and law enforcement involvement are essential to restoring rightful ownership, often at the real homeowners expense.
This story was first reported by caringrealestate.com
