The City of New York announced on Apr. 24 the creation of the Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention, a new office within the Department of Finance, through Executive Order No. 16 signed by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
The move aims to address persistent issues with deed theft and fraud that have affected thousands of homeowners in New York City since 2014, particularly in Brooklyn and Queens. The city reports that criminals have used fraudulent deeds, mortgages, and liens to illegally transfer property ownership without the knowledge or consent of rightful owners.
According to the executive order, vulnerable populations such as seniors and immigrants—especially those in historically Black neighborhoods—have been targeted by scammers who use fraud, coercion, and deception. These activities threaten housing stability and generational wealth for many families across the city.
The newly established office will be led by a director appointed by the mayor who will report to the Commissioner of Finance. Its responsibilities include coordinating prevention efforts across city agencies; expanding enforcement actions; reviewing property records for signs of potential deed theft; conducting public education campaigns; promoting preventive measures like property alert systems; facilitating data sharing among agencies; and supporting victims through a dedicated Deed Theft Prevention Advocate.
All mayoral agencies are directed to cooperate with this new office as it fulfills its mandate. The order takes effect once an agreement is executed between the Office of the Mayor and Department of Finance regarding administrative support functions.
