Mortgage fraud through your home title? Here's what to look for.

Take a few simple steps to protect against title fraud:

• Before buying a home, have a lawyer check the property ownership history for any irregularities or a false mortgage discharge.
• Also, ask your lawyer to look for more than just the title deed, such as survey or plot plans, tax bills and assessment notices for anything that doesn't add up.
• Use a highly-qualified real estate lawyer for your home purchase to ensure that mortgage title discharge procedures are correctly followed (to help prevent an opening for a fraudster to take advantage).
• Lenders may require you to purchase Title Insurance to protect against title fraud. Even if they don't, you may decide to get it on your own. It's a relatively inexpensive, one-time expense that will cover you for many years (depending on the provider).
• You can regularly check the title of your home. You'll need identifying details to do a title search, usually done through a provincial registry agent or your provincial government website.
• In the event of the death of someone who is part of a co-ownership or multigenerational mortgage, it's important to have their name removed to prevent the advance of fraudulent funds.

Be alert! Here are the possible signs of identity fraud to detect it early:

• Tax statements or bills are unexpectedly mailed to your home, but addressed to a different person.
• You receive a phone call from someone inquiring about a new mortgage or a sale arranged for your property.
• Bills do not arrive as expected.
• Creditors contact you regarding purchases you did not make.
• There are discrepancies in your bank or credit card statements.

It's important to regularly check your bank accounts, credit card statements, utility bills, and credit rating to ensure everything is in order.

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