HM Land Registry recorded 55 attempted property hijack frauds in the year to March 2026
HM Land Registry recorded 55 cases of owner-impersonation fraud between April 2025 and March 2026, according to figures released under a Freedom of Information request. Fraudsters use forged documents to sell, mortgage or transfer homes they do not own, with mortgage-free, rented-out or long-empty properties most exposed. For owners in those groups, signing up to HM Land Registry's free property alert service is the practical defence. The numbers remain small against roughly a million transactions a year — rare, but severe when it lands.
What this means for…
Buyers· 1/3
Sellers· 2/3
Wider market· 1/3
Each axis scored 1 (minor) to 3 (major). Total 4/9.
More Policy commentary
28 Sept 2026 · Impact 6/9
Government to offer first-time buyers 20% equity loans on new-builds with 2.5% deposits
26 Sept 2026 · Impact 7/9
Government announces Your First Home: 2.5% deposits and a 20% equity loan for first-time buyers of new builds in England
24 Sept 2026 · Impact 4/9
Resolution Foundation finds Londoners pay £3.1bn a year less in property tax than their homes' values imply
Related reading
Thinking about your own move?
See what your home is worth with free, side-by-side valuations from competing local agents. Your details stay private until you choose one.
Get your free valuations →