Officials in Franklin County are set to convene a high-level summit focused on the growing risks associated with home title fraud, bringing together public authorities, prosecutors, law enforcement representatives and property industry professionals to discuss how fraudulent property transfers can be identified, investigated and prevented.
The Home Title Fraud Summit, scheduled for Friday, 15 May, will be hosted by Michael Stinziano, Daniel J. O’Connor, Jr. and Columbus REALTORS®. The event will take place at the Columbus REALTORS® offices in Columbus and is expected to attract representatives from across the legal, real estate and public administration sectors.
Organisers say the summit has been designed to strengthen awareness around fraudulent property transfers, an issue that has become an increasing concern for homeowners and public agencies in many parts of the United States. Home title fraud typically involves forged or falsified documents being used to transfer ownership of a property without the knowledge or consent of the lawful owner.
The event will explore how fraudulent filings can enter the transfer and recording system, what investigative processes are used once suspected fraud is identified, and how different agencies can improve coordination to reduce risks for homeowners.
According to the organisers, the summit will bring together public officials, law enforcement, prosecutors, title professionals and real estate experts “to discuss how home title fraud occurs, how it is investigated and prosecuted, and what can be done to better protect homeowners.”
The programme has been structured around several panel discussions covering both operational and policy-related aspects of the issue. Sessions will examine the transfer and recording process, the legal and investigative response to suspected fraud cases, and potential reforms aimed at improving safeguards within property registration systems.
Members of the Ohio General Assembly are also expected to attend the summit, highlighting the growing political and regulatory interest surrounding the issue of property fraud prevention.
Officials involved in organising the event say improving communication between agencies and industry professionals will be a central theme throughout the discussions. By bringing together county offices, investigators, legal experts and real estate professionals, the summit aims to identify weaknesses within existing systems while exploring more effective preventative measures.
Home title fraud cases can present significant legal and financial complications for affected homeowners, particularly where forged deeds or falsified signatures are used to create the appearance of a legitimate property transfer. Resolving such disputes often requires extensive legal review and coordination between property offices, law enforcement agencies and the courts.
The summit will also focus on identifying warning signs associated with suspicious filings and discussing whether additional verification processes or legislative changes may be needed to strengthen protections for property owners.
Organisers noted that the event is intended not only to address investigative procedures but also to consider broader policy improvements and practical solutions that could reduce the likelihood of fraudulent transactions entering official records.
The gathering reflects wider concerns within the property sector regarding the security of ownership documentation and the challenges local authorities face in balancing efficient property transfer systems with increasingly sophisticated fraud risks.
The summit will begin at 8:30am on Friday, with welcome remarks scheduled for 9:00am. A session examining the transfer and recording process will follow at 9:15am, before discussions shift to the investigation and prosecution of home title fraud at 10:00am. The final session, beginning at 11:00am, will focus on potential solutions and next steps.
Media interview opportunities may be available before the summit begins, during the scheduled mid-morning break, or immediately after the event concludes.
The event will take place at the Columbus REALTORS® Offices, located at 2700 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219.
