Texas Legislature Passes Law Doubling Statute Limit for Home Deed Fraud

Texas lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 16, a new law that upgrades home title theft from a civil matter to a felony criminal offense, aiming to combat the growing problem of deed fraud. The bill, supported by state Rep. Rafael Anchia and state Sen. Royce West, doubles the statute of limitations from five to ten years and allows judges to nullify illegal property transfers. Deed fraud typically involves scammers using fake quitclaim deeds, forged notary seals, or fraudulent mechanic’s liens to steal property ownership without the owner's knowledge, often leading to financial harm for the real owners. Dallas County officials emphasize the bill will empower victims to seek restitution and help prosecutors track these crimes more effectively, while also raising awareness about available property fraud alert systems. Victims often discover the fraud only when confronted by unauthorized occupants or financial institutions affected by fraudulent loans. The legislation now heads to Governor Abbott for signature, marking a significant step toward protecting homeowners, especially seniors and disabled individuals, from real estate scams.