Arizona Deed Fraud Alerts and How ERAS Works
By Stephanie Woods | Woods Hometown Realty
Your property holds more than a dollar value. It may represent years of work, a place for your family, or an investment in your future. Knowing when someone is trying to sell it should never be a surprise.
Arizona’s Early Real Estate Sales Alert System, known as ERAS, gives property owners a free way to receive notice when submitted pending sale information matches their registration. That early notice may provide time to investigate an unauthorized sale before closing.
At Woods Hometown Realty, we want Arizona owners and buyers to understand this option, how to use it, and where its protection has limits. Here is what you need to know.
What is Deed Fraud
Deed fraud can involve someone impersonating a property owner or using fraudulent documents to transfer ownership or place an unauthorized claim against real estate. A buyer can also be harmed by purchasing property from someone who had no authority to sell it.
An alert about a suspicious transaction can give the true owner an opportunity to raise concerns while the sale is still pending. That is the purpose of ERAS.
How ERAS Alerts Work
There are two separate parts: registering to receive alerts and authorizing an escrow officer to submit information about a particular sale.
First, an owner or owner representative registers for alerts at earlyalert.azre.gov. During a participating transaction, the parties authorize the escrow officer to transmit the seller’s legal name, the property address if available, and the assessor parcel number, or APN. When submitted information matches a registration, the registered recipient can receive a text or email alert.
For example, imagine you own a parcel in Paulden and have no plans to sell. If someone attempts a sale, the transaction information is submitted to ERAS, and it matches your registration, an alert could bring that activity to your attention. You can then investigate and report a suspected unauthorized transaction.
The important condition is that transaction information must be submitted and match a registration. Signing up does not mean every attempted sale or fraudulent document will generate an alert.
How to Register your Arizona Property
- Visit the official registration page at https://earlyalert.azre.gov/.
- Provide contact information for the person who should receive notifications, following the site’s instructions.
- Enter the property identifiers requested by the site. The registration page allows monitoring by owner name, property address, or APN and requires at least one identifier. A common owner name may produce unrelated matches, so review the site’s guidance.
- Review your entries carefully. Your property tax bill or county assessor’s website can help you locate the APN.
- Consider registering for your county Recorder’s alert service as well. ADRE encourages owners to use both state and county alerts.
You do not need to be listing a property to register. This is a useful task to consider whether you own a home in Prescott Valley, a rental in Phoenix, a second home in Sedona, or land elsewhere in Arizona.
What Buyers and Sellers should know about the ERAS form
Registering a property for alerts is separate from consenting to share transaction information during escrow. The ADRE transaction form explains the program and records the parties’ instructions.
Under the ADRE form, all parties to the contract must consent for the authorization to create valid escrow instructions. The form also provides a way to decline transmission. Ask your real estate professional and escrow officer to explain what information would be sent and how your choice will be documented.
For buyers, this is another opportunity for a registered true owner to learn about a sale that may be unauthorized. For sellers, it helps make the transaction and the client’s election clear. Participation remains voluntary.
What the November 2026 ADRE Guidance means
ADRE’s Substantive Policy Statement 2026.02 lists an effective date of November 1, 2026. It explains the Department’s interpretation of real estate professionals’ existing duties to inform clients about deed fraud and available prevention methods, including the opportunity to use ERAS.
The statement is advisory and says it does not impose additional requirements or penalties. It allows the official ADRE form or an equivalent written disclosure that explains the option and documents the client’s choice. It should not be read as requiring every consumer to enroll or requiring that only one particular form be used.
Keep other Safeguards in Place
ERAS is one layer of protection. It does not verify ownership for you, block a deed from being recorded, provide title insurance, or guarantee that a fraudulent transaction will be detected. Continue working with your real estate and title professionals on identity verification and transaction review.
If an alert concerns a sale you did not authorize, act promptly. Independently contact the escrow company using verified contact details, notify ADRE through its official channels, and contact law enforcement if you suspect fraud. Preserve the alert and related communications. An Arizona real estate attorney can advise you about your specific rights and next steps.
An unexpected alert deserves attention, but a match alone is not proof of fraud. Verify what happened.
A Practical Step for Arizona Property Owners
Take a few minutes to review ERAS and decide whether to register your Arizona properties. Encourage familymembers who own property to learn about it, too.
Have questions about the ERAS election during a purchase or sale? Reach out to Stephanie Woods at WoodsHometown Realty. We can help you understand the real estate process and coordinate questions with yourescrow team.
Visit https://woodshometownrealty.com/ to connect with us. Register for the state program directly athttps://earlyalert.azre.gov/.
Stephanie Woods | Broker and Owner | Woods Hometown Realty
This article provides general consumer information, not legal advice. ERAS is administered by the Arizona Department of Real Estate. Woods Hometown Realty is an independent brokerage.
Official Resources
ADRE Early Real Estate Sales Alert System and registration
ADRE Substantive Policy Statement 2026.02 effective November 1 2026
ADRE forms including the ERAS transaction form