Have you seen the commercials warning that someone could be stealing the title to your home, urging you to sign up for a monthly “title lock” service before it’s too late. While title fraud can happen, these ads rely heavily on fear. The good news? You don’t need to pay for these services to stay informed.
Many paid title monitoring companies charge between $10 and $20 per month. Well-known providers like Home Title Lock, LifeLock, Aura, and Identity Guard all offer versions of the same basic service: they notify you if a document is recorded against your property, these services are simply alert systems. What most homeowners don’t realize is that many local governments provide this same monitoring for free.
The Free Alternative
In Los Angeles County and hundreds of counties nationwide, homeowners can enroll in a no-cost alert system through the County Assessor or Recorder’s Office. Once registered, you’ll receive an email notification (usually within 48 hours) whenever a key document is recorded against your property, including:
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Title or ownership transfers
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Mortgages
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Foreclosure notices
Early notification allows you to act quickly if something looks suspicious.
Monitoring vs. Insurance (An Important Clarification)
Title monitoring whether free or paid does not prevent fraud. It simply alerts you after a document has been recorded.
Title insurance, which is a one-time fee paid at closing, provides actual coverage for certain title issues, including forgery or fraud. Enhanced policies may even cover some problems that arise after you purchase the home. Monitoring informs you; insurance helps protect you financially.
How to Enroll in Los Angeles County
To sign up for free alerts (You can register multiple properties under one account):
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Visit assessor.lacounty.gov
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Click on “Homeowner Alert Service”
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Review the Instructions Guide
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Click “Register Today!” and follow the steps
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Link your property using your Assessor Identification Number
If you ever suspect fraudulent activity, report it immediately to the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222, online at dcba.lacounty.gov or by email at [email protected]
A little knowledge goes a long way. Before paying for a monthly service, take advantage of the free tools already available to you.
