Philadelphia has received 152 reports of deed fraud so far in 2026, nearly matching the 159 reports filed during all of 2025, according to the city’s Department of Records.
The numbers highlight concerns about a type of property theft that can leave homeowners and their families fighting for years to reclaim their homes.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner believes the problem is more widespread than the reported cases suggest.
“I think deed fraud is going on in a really big way, but there is a small number of cases that are being caught,” Krasner said.
For Elaine Garcia, the issue became personal after the death of her older brother, Frank Garcia, in 2022.
“It wasn’t his time to go,” Garcia said.
Years before his death, Frank Garcia created a will stipulating that his sister would inherit his belongings, including his Philadelphia home on North Randolph…
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