In a fight against real estate scammers, Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price is pulling no punches with a new defense mechanism for homeowners. The recently unveiled 'Real Estate Fraud Notification Program' aims to shield property owners in the county from the shady dealings of fraudsters looking to snatch properties from their rightful owners illegally. Outlined by Price's Consumer Justice Bureau, the program kicks into gear any time a property title transfer goes down at the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office.

Once a Grant Deed or Quitclaim Deed is lodged, the homeowner will receive a letter from the D.A.'s office detailing the transaction. The precautionary measure, a first of its kind, included in the letter is a chunk – the first five pages – of the document that set the wheels of ownership transfer in motion. With a problem found in the document, homeowners are encouraged to ring up the District Attorney Real Estate Fraud Unit to get the wheels turning on an investigation and, if needed, prosecution to void the shady deal.

"The goal of this program is to protect the most valuable asset a person in Alameda County can have, and that's their home," Price explained. With a target on the backs of seniors who've built up substantial equity over many years, the program establishes a safeguard against opportunistic white-collar criminals. "This free program is designed to proactively investigate, prosecute, and void any fraudulent transfer," Price affirmed, signaling a clear warning to would-be culprits.

According to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, their Consumer Justice Bureau is wearing a new hat with the launch of this program. Reflecting a proactive rather than a reactive step, the initiative enters uncharted territory.