Criminals typically follow this pattern:

1. Steal or gather your personal information

Often via:

• data breaches
• phishing
• malware
• stolen mail
• public records
  
  

2. Forge your signature on a deed

Usually a quitclaim deed, because it is easier to manipulate.
They may also use fake or complicit notaries.

3. Record the fake deed with the county

Most U.S. recording offices do not verify whether the transfer is legitimate—they simply check formatting and notarization.

4. Commit financial fraud

Once the forged deed is recorded, the thief appears as the legal owner and can:

• pull out equity
• sell the property
• refinance
  
  

Victims often do not discover the fraud for months, sometimes not until foreclosure notices appear.