How To Set Up an Automatic Alert on Real Estate in Case A Lien or Fraudulent Deed Are Filed in Bexar County?

IMPORTANT: this article is specific to Bexar County, Texas. If you own property in any other county, the availability and process to set up alerts may be different.

Unfortunately, real estate fraud and scams have become a more common occurrence. In these cases, a property owner may sign something that they do not realize is a deed or lien, or someone may forge the signature of a property owner or notary. Luckily, you can set up automatic alerts to notify you if someone files a deed or lien related to your property.

How can you set up an automatic alert on real estate in case a lien or fraudulent deed is filed in Texas? Implementing these alerts is a vital step in protecting assets.

Fraudulent Deeds and Liens in Texas

A property lien is attached to property to secure a debt (e.g. a mortgage or mechanic’s lien). A deed is a legal document transfers ownership of real estate property.

It is possible that someone could place a fraudulent lien on a property or execute a fraudulent deed for it. Deed fraud is a growing problem in the state of Texas. In 2025, Texas enacted Senate Bill 1734, which created a new legal process for property owners to challenge potential fraud against property. This law allows property owners to challenge potential fraud without having to go through the entire litigation process.

When real estate fraud happens, it is important to take immediate action. You can report real estate fraud to the police, but you may need to hire a real estate attorney to sue the fraudster and clear title to the property.

Setting Up Alerts in Bexar County

You are able to set up an automatic alert on real estate online through the Bexar County Clerk’s website, specifically the  official public records search.  Alerts for public documents may catch deeds, mortgages, property tax documents, and more.

You can set up an alert in two different ways: 1) by entering an owner’s name or specific keywords, or 2) by selecting a specific document already filed in the public records. In either case, you will click on “Create a Property Alert” and enter or select your alert criteria. It is possible the alert platform may change over time, so do not rely on this article alone to set up an alert.

While homeowners may consider transfer on death deeds to simplify inheritance, a fraudulent filing can compromise even the best-laid plans. Monitoring these records ensures your estate planning goals remain secure from unauthorized interference.

Once you have completed the alert process, you should receive notifications via the online portal and email. If you receive an alert, you should review it immediately to determine if it is legitimate. All of that being said, electronic systems don’t always work the way they are supposed to and the alert criteria are currently very limited and specific. As such, it is a good idea to not rely on the alerts alone and periodically check the deed records yourself for anything that may have been filed under your name or the legal description of your property.

Hire a Lawyer

Ramsey Law  can help with many deed matters related to estate planning. If you need an attorney for issues with a deed, such as fraud, the firm may be able to point you in the right direction.

For a consultation with us, you can give us a call or visit any of our offices. We are located in San Antonio, Stone Oak, and Castle Hills.