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If someone claims to own your home or tells your contractors what to do, do not treat that claim as verified. Independently confirm who they are and what authority they have before you pay, sign, share personal information, hand over keys, or allow disputed work to continue. If the claim involves a deed, check official land records; if it involves a job, verify the contractor and the written authorization.
First, separate an ownership claim from a contractor instruction
These situations can overlap, but they require different checks. A claim that ownership changed points to recorded property documents. Someone directing work points to the contractor’s engagement, scope, and authorization. Neither a confident assertion nor a document supplied by the claimant, by itself, establishes a right to own, enter, or authorize work on the property.
- Claim about a deed or ownership: Contact the appropriate state or local land-records office and ask how to check the property’s recorded deed and other filings. The FTC says title can be checked for free through a state land-records office; some areas offer free alerts about legal changes to property records. FTC guidance on title fraud and title monitoring.
- Claim about work at the home: Contact the contractor through details you already trust. Ask who hired them, what work they were authorized to perform, and for the written contract or authorization. Check licensing with the relevant state or county government and request proof of insurance. FTC guidance on hiring a contractor.
- Immediate danger: If someone is trying to enter, threatening occupants, or work creates an immediate safety hazard, contact local emergency services or law enforcement as appropriate.
What to do right away
Verify the person independently
Ask the person to identify themselves and explain the basis for the ownership claim or work instruction. Do not validate it using only a phone number, link, email address, or document they provided. Find contact information independently, then contact the relevant office, contractor, or other party using that trusted information. The FTC warns that impersonators may use convincing names, caller ID, or personal details, and advises contacting organizations through independently verified contact information. FTC advice on avoiding scams.
Until you have checked the claim, do not pay, sign, hand over keys, or share sensitive information solely because someone made an unexpected demand. If a contractor is already on site and their authority is disputed, tell the contractor in writing to pause the disputed work while you verify who authorized it. This is a practical precaution, not a guarantee that every homeowner has the same legal right to stop every job.
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Keep a dated record
Save texts, emails, letters, estimates, contracts, permits, invoices, payment records, photographs, and any papers the claimant presents. Note dates and times, names, what was said, and which contractor acted on each instruction. The FTC recommends keeping notes and copies of letters and documents when handling home-improvement problems. FTC guidance on hiring a contractor.
If someone says they own your home
Contact the state or local land-records office using contact details you found independently. Ask how to search the property’s recorded deed and whether other filings affect the title. The FTC says homeowners can check title for free through their state’s land-records office, and that some areas provide free notifications about legal changes to property records. Availability and search procedures depend on the location.
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Paid “title lock” monitoring does not prevent title fraud, according to the FTC; it is not a lock or insurance. Check official records rather than relying on a monitoring service as proof of ownership. FTC guidance on title fraud and title monitoring.
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Speak with the contractor using a phone number or contact method you already trust, not just one supplied by the person making the claim. Ask who engaged the contractor, what work and property they were told the job covers, and for a copy of the written contract or authorization. Compare that information with your own agreements and records.
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- Check the contractor’s license with the relevant state or county government; do not rely only on the contractor’s statement about credentials.
- Request proof of insurance.
- Review the written agreement carefully. Do not sign blank papers, and be cautious about pressure to transfer a deed or make an immediate decision.
- Keep copies of contracts, estimates, permits, invoices, and payment records. The FTC advises against paying in full before the work is complete and satisfactory; contract rules vary by state.
These checks can help establish what the contractor was asked to do and by whom, but they do not decide a contested legal right to enter or authorize work. If the contractor disputes your instructions, a deed or entry right is contested, or someone raises a contractor lien, seek advice from a real-estate attorney or local legal-aid service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to report suspected fraud
For a suspected scam or impersonation attempt, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For a home-improvement dispute, the FTC also identifies state attorneys general and local consumer-protection offices as possible sources of help. If you shared identity information or it was misused, use IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps. Relevant FTC guidance: hiring a contractor, avoiding scams, and what to do if you were scammed.
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Ownership, entry rights, co-owner authority, and contractor authorization depend on local law and the documents involved. FTC consumer guidance offers scam-prevention and recovery steps; it does not determine whether a particular person owns a property, may enter it, or committed a crime. For a disputed legal claim, consult a local real-estate attorney or legal-aid service.
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