SmartMLS Adds Ownership Verification Tool
The tool from Property Shield aims to confirm whether a person claiming to own a property is who they say they are.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Real Estate — General
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SmartMLS announced it will introduce an Ownership Verification tool from Property Shield. The tool is designed to help determine whether an individual claiming to be a property owner is who they say they are, complementing the Listing Fraud Protection technology SmartMLS already introduced through the same partnership.
Why it matters
Seller-impersonation fraud typically begins when a scammer poses as a property owner and contacts a real estate professional to list property the scammer does not own. Such schemes can be hard to spot when the property is vacant land or when the purported seller communicates remotely.
The verification process combines identity verification and facial-recognition technology with property ownership information. No measurable performance metrics were disclosed in the announcement.
The players
SmartMLS
SmartMLS is the multiple listing service serving Connecticut real estate professionals, and it announced the new tool.
Property Shield
Property Shield is the fraud-prevention technology provider whose tools SmartMLS has partnered with for listing and ownership verification.
The details
The verification process uses identity verification and facial-recognition technology in conjunction with property ownership information. Ownership Verification is intended as an additional fraud-prevention tool and does not replace the judgment and due diligence of the real estate professional.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: SmartMLS announced the Ownership Verification tool.
Next week: Ownership Verification is expected to become available to SmartMLS.
Roadmap
SmartMLS's new tool builds on Property Shield's Listing Fraud Protection, which already flags when legitimate listing information is copied into fraudulent advertisements. Adding an ownership check moves the fraud defense upstream, aiming to stop impersonated sellers before a listing ever reaches the MLS.
Connecticut home sellers and buyers working through SmartMLS may soon see an added identity check on listings. Agents still need to conduct their own due diligence, particularly on vacant land or remote transactions.
The takeaway
Fraud prevention in real estate increasingly depends on verifying who is actually behind a listing, not just the property records. Agents working remotely or with vacant land should treat identity checks as one layer within their own due diligence.
What happens next
The Ownership Verification tool is expected to become available to SmartMLS next week.
Further reading
For more on how fraud affects home sales, see Real Estate — General in our Connecticut coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RISMedia.
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