Sell a Home You Don’t Own? Here’s How They Do It in Scottsdale

Here’s a true story about seller impersonation that landed in the news during the first week of 2026. The story starts with an owner of a home in Arizona getting an alert from the local deed recorder’s office of Maricopa County. Uh oh.

The recorder’s office was notifying the deed holder that the title to the Scottsdale home had just been transferred to Rachael Cossette. Who in the world was Rachael Cossette?

It was true that the deed holder intended to sell the home. He’d cleaned out and readied it for the market. But he hadn’t submitted a listing yet.

So the deed holder went to check the property, and felt immediately compelled to call the police. Someone had changed the locks on the home.

Scam Artists Love a Vacuum

Scottsdale police would later tell Arizona’s 12 News that someone had put a lockbox on the door, as agents do when they’re showing a home for sale.

But the deed holder hadn’t authorized any transfer of the home he’d vacated. He wasn’t even ready to list it yet! Investigators noted that an empty home can leave an attractive opening for a certain breed of deed scammers. They’re known as seller impersonators.

Rachael Cossette was already out to make a deal with a third party — John, a real estate investor. News reporters tracked John down. He said Cossette claimed to be the heir to the house, and needed the sale to happen fast.

It was a red flag. An even redder flag was Cossette’s refusal to talk on the phone, purportedly on account of anxiety. A certain “Jennifer” was handling the communications with the investor.  

Hold the Phone—Something’s Off Here

John called the title agent, asking that the documents go through a careful review. Good! John also called the deed’s previously named holder, who never authorized a transfer. John and the title agent phoned the Scottsdale police.

The scammers who perpetrate frauds like this siphon other people’s identifying information from the public records. They may insist on communicating through representatives, rather than show up in person or on a call. To get the hot potato out of their hands, they insist on everything happening quickly.

The Sting at the Scene

It was November 2025. Rachael Cossette walked into the title agent’s office to sign the contract papers. Her sidekick “Jennifer” came along too. (Police detectives would learn that Jennifer was actually her middle name.)

The plan was over, the police told reporters, before the suspects even entered the title office. Cosette was never able to pass the hot potato.

Cossette and her friend caught sight of the detectives near the lobby. They ran. Later, the police apprehended the pair.

Both suspects now face fraud charges. Rachael Cossette is further accused of forging and using a fake deed, plus home mortgage fraud.

Sound Familiar? Yes, It’s a Lot Like Shannon’s Case

In November — just a few weeks ago — the Austin, Texas media covered the theft of a family home that was sold for just $10, with a forged deed. Shannon P., the victim, lost her inherited family home. It was sold and torn down.

The deed to this home did get transferred by the suspect. In fact, it’s passed through several title holders now.

Shannon went to court and recovered the family deed, but this win didn’t last long. The developer who held the title fought back, and now the case will be re-tried.

Deed thieves like the one who shook up Shannon’s life have become more common. That’s according to professionals affiliated with the American Land Title Association (ALTA).

ALTA Now Offers Title Insurance Protection to Cover Seller Impersonations

The American Land Title Association recently issued two new title insurance policy endorsements specifically for the sort of stuff described above.

Both buyers and current deed holders can benefit from the availability of endorsements to the Homeowner’s Policy of Title Insurance. Mortgage fraud is covered as well as deed forgery. The policy applies to the costs of going through the court system to rectify the public records if a title is fraudulently claimed.

ALTA recently updated its Best Practices, too. The Association is calling on title agents to strengthen seller identity checks at closing time. It calls for title companies to offer additional training. All companies, says ALTA, should establish response mechanisms where signs of fraud arise. ALTA supplies additional guidance on choosing signing agents and notaries, to steer closings clear of fraud.

ALTA Points to New Tech as a Serious Fraud Factor

ALTA cites impersonators’ cutting-edge technology as a reason customers may want extra protective measures. One growing concern is the use of artificial intelligence, which makes deed theft easier.   

AI keeps getting smarter. It constantly adjusts its actions to situations, anticipating and manipulating typical human responses.

The overall risk out there, ALTA finds, is real, sophisticated, and on the rise.

Now, will the title protections be able to effectively counter the risks? When these new endorsements were unveiled, Jonathan Delozier in Housing Wire said it would be important to know how the protections would work. For example, a customer might like to probe as to whether a title agent will carry out protective research for the policy holder.

Best Ways to Thwart a Suspicious Transfer

Wondering if something’s not right about a real estate deal? Title experts say do the following things:

• Resist the haste. Slow down the deal.

• Don’t assume a seller’s listing is proof of identity. Check the county records. Do look up public contact information.

• Be sure the signatures you see match the signature on the prior deed by the same person.

Fraud perpetrators may suggest that you use a notary they know. Be alert to this.

And it’s important to talk with real estate sellers. Get to know their opinions about the home. If there’s something they don’t know — but ought to — do some probing.

As Always, Due Diligence Matters

Using high tech itself, the title industry may become able to beat seller impersonators. Meanwhile, readers should know the problem exists, and that new protections are being created in the industry. We hope this article helps to spread the word. Deed fraud disrupts lives and inheritances. Staying aware can keep a deed safe.

Readers, please note: The discussion of title insurance products appears for informational purposes only. The articles on this website are general in nature and are not legal or financial  advice. See your professionals for guidance on individualized issues.