Because deed fraud has evolved into a pressing threat—particularly to older Rhode Islanders and heirs of estates—the state took decisive legal action.

Robert Scaralia of the Real Estate Institute of Rhode Island noted that In June 2026, Governor Dan McKee signed House Bill 7551aa and Senate Bill 2715A into law, specifically criminalizing deed theft and transforming Rhode Island's defense system through several measures:

• A New Felony Charge: The law establishes the explicit criminal offense of real estate title fraud. A first offense is now a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
• Gatekeeping at the Municipal Level: Historically, town and city clerks were legally forced to record any document that met basic filing requirements. This new law empowers Rhode Island municipalities to refuse or temporarily delay recording "suspicious documents" from individuals who are not verified "trusted submitters" (such as licensed attorneys, title insurers, or regulated banks).
• Mandatory Property Fraud Alerts: The law mandates that every Rhode Island municipality establish a free property alert notification system. Property owners who sign up must be notified within 10 business days of any deed, lien, or mortgage recorded against their property.

Given these new safeguards, have you checked if your specific Rhode Island city or town has already launched its free property fraud alert portal?