Anderson County, South Carolina is facing a surge in deed fraud cases where scammers steal homes by forging ownership documents. With just one falsified paper filed at the Register of Deeds, criminals can illegally transfer a property, leaving the rightful owner blindsided. Officials warn that most victims don’t realize what has happened until months or even years later, often when it’s too late to easily undo the damage. One case in Belton last year revealed just how far scammers will go, using fake bank statements and documents to seize control of a home.
County leaders admit the problem is nearly impossible to catch at the filing stage since thousands of documents are processed annually and signatures cannot realistically be verified. Anderson County is now exploring fraud alert software to notify homeowners immediately if their property records are tampered with. Until such systems are active, officials urge residents to be vigilant and regularly check their property records to avoid losing their most valuable asset, their home.
This story was first reported by wyff4.com
