AG's Office: In four years, NH residents lost $4M in deed fraud

CONCORD - In case you missed it, we are really trying to get the word out about Deed Fraud taking place in New Hampshire. Any coverage you might be able to provide would be very much appreciated.

"According to the FBI's Boston Field Office, between 2019 and 2023, 239 people in New Hampshire fell victim to deed fraud, losing a total of $4,144,467. The New Hampshire Department of Justice has also received multiple new reports of deed related fraud occurring in New Hampshire.

We can confirm that quit claim deed fraud has occurred here in New Hampshire. In one recent case, scammers impersonated an out-of-state elderly couple and sold their land in Grantham without their knowledge. The transaction was conducted entirely online and by mail, and unfortunately, the scammers were not identified. While the sale in that case did go through, the couple was successful, through attorneys, in recovering their property.

In another pending case, we received a consumer complaint regarding a fraudulent sale attempt, but fortunately, the sale was never completed.

No arrests have been made at this point, as these schemes are often conducted virtually and involve sophisticated impersonation tactics that make identification difficult. However, we continue to investigate reports like these and work with local and federal partners to raise awareness and pursue accountability wherever possible."

Brandon H. Garod, the Senior Assistant Attorney General, is the state's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau Chief