Placerville Newswire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Get Started
Placerville NewsWire
  • Crime
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Placerville NewsWire
No Result
View All Result

Deed Fraud on the Rise: El Dorado Officials Urge Vigilance to Protect Property Owners

Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne Sounds Alarm on Surging Real Estate Fraud Targeting Local Landowners

Cris Alarcon by Cris Alarcon
June 13, 2025
in Crime
469 30
0
Deed Fraud on the Rise: El Dorado Officials Urge Vigilance to Protect Property Owners

Deed fraud in El Dorado County

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsappReddit

Placerville, Calif. — June 13, 2025 — A sharp rise in real estate fraud across El Dorado County is prompting local officials to launch a public awareness campaign to safeguard landowners, especially those with vacant properties.

El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk Janelle Horne, in partnership with District Attorney Vern Pierson, is urging property owners and real estate professionals to stay alert as criminals increasingly target vacant parcels and unoccupied homes, particularly in South Lake Tahoe, Georgetown, Placerville, and Grizzly Flat.

You might also like

EDSO Eagle

El Dorado Sheriff’s Blotter: Arrests, Death Call, and Disturbances – Sept. 30, 2025

October 1, 2025
EDSO Eagle

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Blotter: Fights, Trespassers, and Midnight Arrests – Sept. 28, 2025

September 29, 2025

“These are not just hypothetical scenarios—we are seeing real people being defrauded out of their land,” Horne told the Mountain Democrat. “In one case, the fraudster’s IP address was traced all the way to Panama. That’s how sophisticated these schemes have become.”

In recent months, the Recorder-Clerk’s Office has documented a noticeable uptick in forged deeds and fraudulent transfers of ownership. Scammers often impersonate landowners using falsified IDs and remote online notary services to sell properties without the true owner’s knowledge. Vacant lots are particularly vulnerable, as they often lack structures or active utility accounts—making it harder for neighbors or county officials to spot suspicious activity.

To combat the trend, Horne and Pierson have launched a coordinated effort that includes distributing fraud prevention materials to local real estate agents, title companies, and escrow offices, as well as offering guidance to individual property owners. A presentation prepared by Horne outlines key red flags and actionable steps, including enrolling in El Dorado County’s “Real Estate Fraud Notification” service, which alerts owners when documents are recorded against their property.

District Attorney Vern Pierson echoed the urgency of the initiative. “This type of fraud not only robs people of their property—it undermines trust in our real estate system. We are committed to prosecuting these crimes and protecting our residents,” he said in a joint statement.

Residents are encouraged to verify their property records regularly, use trusted title services during transactions, and immediately report any suspicious activity involving their land or home titles.

The Recorder-Clerk’s Office plans additional community outreach events this summer and is working to improve online tools that help residents monitor and secure their property documents.

For more information or to report a suspected deed fraud case, visit the El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk’s website or contact the DA’s Real Estate Fraud Unit directly.

Cris Alarcon

Cris Alarcon

Former Member: Executive Board of Directors, Treasurer, Boys & Girl Club of El Dorado County Western Slope. - Former Member: Board of Directors, Treasurer, Food Bank of El Dorado County. - Opening Team Dealer at Red Hawk Casino - Retried EDC Elections Department Inspector. - Youngest Charter Member of the Hangtown Kennel Club. - Political Strategist and Campaign Manager.

Related Stories

EDSO Eagle

El Dorado Sheriff’s Blotter: Arrests, Death Call, and Disturbances – Sept. 30, 2025

by Cris Alarcon
October 1, 2025

A death call, arrests, and prowlers kept deputies busy across El Dorado County on Sept. 30

EDSO Eagle

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Blotter: Fights, Trespassers, and Midnight Arrests – Sept. 28, 2025

by Cris Alarcon
September 29, 2025

Deputies chased trespassers, broke up fights, and even mounted a mountain rescue in a long Sunday shift across El Dorado...

Placerville Man Arrested for Shooting left another man injured

El Dorado County Sheriff Blotter: Domestic Violence Arrests, Battery, and Search & Rescue on Sept. 28

by Cris Alarcon
September 29, 2025

Sept. 28 in El Dorado County brought arrests, fights, theft, and even a mountain rescue.

EDSO Eagle

El Dorado County Sheriff Arrest Log: DUI Wreck, Elder Abuse, and Weapons Charges on Sept. 27

by Cris Alarcon
September 29, 2025

El Dorado County arrests on Sept. 27 ranged from DUIs and elder abuse to weapons and drug charges

Recommended

Wagon Train Rolls Into Fresh Pond: Historic Journey Up Highway 50 Enters Layover Day

Wagon Train Rolls Into Fresh Pond: Historic Journey Up Highway 50 Enters Layover Day

June 4, 2025
El Dorado County’s Marianne Saindon Named California Civil Employee of the Year

El Dorado County’s Marianne Saindon Named California Civil Employee of the Year

September 25, 2025

Popular Story

  • Placerville Man Sentenced for Throwing Chairs and Resisting Police

    Placerville Man Sentenced for Throwing Chairs and Resisting Police

    703 shares
    Share 281 Tweet 176
  • El Dorado County Sheriff Arrest Log: September 26, 2025

    692 shares
    Share 277 Tweet 173
  • El Dorado County Sheriff Arrest Log – Sept. 25, 2025

    669 shares
    Share 268 Tweet 167
  • El Dorado County Arrest Log, Sept. 24, 2025: DUIs, Assaults, and Shoplifting

    665 shares
    Share 266 Tweet 166
  • El Dorado County Sheriff’s Daily Log: September 26, 2025

    657 shares
    Share 263 Tweet 164
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Landing Page
  • Buy JNews
  • Support Forum
  • Pre-sale Question
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Placerville Newswire Commentary is produced by the Placerville Newswire, a private service focusing on Placerville Local Area issues. All conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). You may find us in El Dorado County Placerville, CA 95667