This video examines the theft of property known as "deed fraud." Typically, the theft involves bogus deeds, stolen identities, forged signatures, dishonest or bogus notaries, and unwary renters and buyers. The thieves may be unscrupulous speculators who troll for vacant properties to steal via fraudulent deed transfers or family members who take advantage of unsuspecting relatives to cheat them out of their inheritances. This video highlights some of the ways in which municipal authorities are responding to deed fraud and offers suggestions that may assist rightful owners and prospective buyers and renters in protecting their interests.

Produced by the Visual Legal Advocacy Project of the Penn Program on Documentaries & the Law