# Title theft. What is it exactly and how is there a cottage industry of insurance to counter it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [April 3, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/title-theft-what-is-it-exactly-and-how-is-there-a-cottage-industry-of-insurance-to-counter-it/2564 "2023-04-03T02:38:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AustinBonds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@AustinBonds](https://community.clark.com/u/AustinBonds)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/title-theft-what-is-it-exactly-and-how-is-there-a-cottage-industry-of-insurance-to-counter-it/2564/1 "2023-04-03T02:38:45Z")
I hear ads on the radio for title theft insurance. Apparently, a thief can forge a document and steal someone’s house. How is it so easy to steal a half-million or more dollar box planted on a lot? And why do people have to pay on a subscription basis to fight title theft? Why can’t someone freeze their title like credit is frozen? ---
**Author:** ![butler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@butler](https://community.clark.com/u/butler)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.clark.com/t/title-theft-what-is-it-exactly-and-how-is-there-a-cottage-industry-of-insurance-to-counter-it/2564/2 "2023-04-03T14:47:03Z")
Simple…because our local government systems and processes are so far outdated. The Title or Warranty Deed is a standard document that that can be easily forged and recorded at the courthouse to signify a change in ownership. We have a few counties that are piloting programs to send out alerts upon a title change, but its very early stage. From my perspective…and I own a lot of real estate… there are two defenses: 1. Always have owners title insurance 2. Always have the property encumbered by a lien, even if the balance is zero.