What To Do After a Suspicious Property Filing in NYC

You Got an Alert — Don’t Panic, But Do Act Fast

If AcrisWatch notified you of an unexpected filing, the first thing to know is: receiving an alert does not mean something is wrong. Many filings are routine — a lender confirming a payoff, a utility easement, a minor correction deed.

But if the filing looks unfamiliar — especially if it’s a deed, a mortgage, or a lis pendens — you should investigate immediately.

This article walks you through a concrete response plan.

Step 1: Look at the Actual Document

In your AcrisWatch dashboard, click through to the ACRIS record linked in the alert. You’ll see the scanned image of the recorded document.

Ask yourself:

• Is this a transaction I recognize? Did I sign this or authorize it?
• Are the parties listed correct? (Your name should appear, spelled correctly, as the grantor/mortgagor.)
• Does the date make sense?
• Does the notarization look legitimate?

If you recognize the transaction, you can mark the alert as “Reviewed” and close it.

Step 2: If Something Looks Wrong, Call an Attorney

Do not wait. Do not “see if anything else happens.” Contact a real estate attorney who handles deed fraud or property disputes in New York City.

Why urgency matters: once a fraudulent deed is recorded and a third party takes action based on it (taking out loans, selling the property), the legal process to undo the harm becomes significantly more complex. Acting fast — within days, not weeks — dramatically improves your options.

Where to find an attorney:

• NYC Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (212) 626-7373
• Legal Services NYC (for income-eligible homeowners): legalservicesnyc.org
• Brooklyn Legal Services and similar borough organizations

Step 3: Report to Authorities

You can report property fraud to multiple agencies simultaneously:

NYC Department of Investigation — Sheriff’s Bureau: Report online at nyc.gov or call (212) 825-5959. The NYC Sheriff has jurisdiction over real property crimes.

NYC Deed Theft Task Force: NYC launched a dedicated Deed Theft Task Force in 2022. File a complaint at nyc.gov/deedtheft.

NYPD: File a police report at your local precinct. Get the complaint number — your attorney and other agencies will ask for it.

New York State Attorney General: File a complaint at ag.ny.gov if you believe the fraud involved a business or organized scheme.

Step 4: Notify Key Parties

• Your mortgage lender — Tell them you have not consented to any new liens or transfers. Ask them to flag the account.
• Your homeowner’s insurance — Document the incident. Your policy may cover some costs.
• NYC Department of Finance — They administer property taxes and can sometimes flag accounts that appear compromised.

Step 5: Document Everything

Create a folder (digital or physical) with:

• Screenshots and PDFs of the suspicious ACRIS filings
• Your AcrisWatch alert history
• Correspondence with your attorney and authorities
• A timeline of events

This documentation will be critical for your attorney and any legal proceedings.

What Remedies Are Available?

New York State has several remedies for deed theft, including:

• Vacating a fraudulent deed — A court can declare the deed void if fraud is proven. This is cleaner when acted on quickly.
• Quiet title action — A lawsuit establishing your ownership against all other claims.
• Criminal prosecution — Deed theft is a felony in New York under the Protecting Homeowners from Deed Theft Act (2023).

The 2023 Protecting Homeowners from Deed Theft Act strengthened penalties significantly, making it easier for prosecutors to pursue and for homeowners to recover.

A Note on AcrisWatch’s Role

AcrisWatch does not provide legal advice, represent you in legal proceedings, or contact authorities on your behalf. Our job is to make sure you know about new ACRIS filings as fast as possible — because the earlier you know, the better your options.

We’ll keep monitoring your property throughout any investigation and alert you to any new filings as the situation evolves.

If you have questions about how to interpret a specific alert, contact us through the support section of your dashboard.