Google Alerts Can Help Protect Your Property

In today’s digital world, your home has an online footprint—whether you created it or not. Real estate listings, rental ads, property tax records, and even old for‑sale photos can circulate across dozens of websites. Most of the time, that’s harmless. But when scammers get involved, your address can become a tool for fraud.

One of the simplest ways to keep an eye on your property’s online presence is also one of the most overlooked: setting up a Google Alert for your home address. It’s free, it takes less than a minute, and it can help you spot suspicious activity before it becomes a problem.

Why Your Address Might Show Up Online Without You Knowing

Criminals often scrape legitimate real estate listings and repost them as fake rental ads. They use real photos, real descriptions, and your real address—then lure unsuspecting renters into sending deposits for a home that isn’t actually available. These scams are common, and they move fast.

Other times, outdated or incorrect information about your property can resurface on old listing sites, automated valuation pages, or neighborhood data platforms. While not always malicious, misinformation can cause confusion for buyers, renters, or even your neighbors.

A Google Alert gives you a heads‑up whenever your address appears somewhere new.

How Google Alerts Help You Stay Ahead of Scammers

Think of a Google Alert as a digital watchdog. Once you set it up, Google will email you anytime it finds new content containing your address. That means you can:

• Spot fake rental listings using your home’s photos

• Catch outdated or incorrect property information

• See if your address is being used in a scam

• Monitor how your home appears on public websites

If something looks off, you can take action quickly—report the listing, notify the website, or contact your local REALTOR® for guidance.

How to Set Up a Google Alert for Your Address

It’s quick and straightforward:

1. Go to google.com/alerts

2. In the search bar, type your full property address in quotes, like this:

“123 Main Street, Silver City NM”

3. Review the preview results to make sure Google is tracking the right information

4. Choose how often you want to receive alerts (daily is usually enough)

5. Click Create Alert

That’s it. You’ll now get an email anytime Google finds new mentions of your address online.

What to Do If You Spot Something Suspicious

If an alert leads you to a fake rental ad or fraudulent listing:

• Report it immediately to the website hosting the content

• Warn your neighbors, especially if scammers are contacting people directly

• Document everything—screenshots, URLs, dates

• Reach out to a local REALTOR® who can help you navigate next steps

Real estate professionals see these scams regularly and can help you determine whether a listing is legitimate or part of a larger pattern.

A Simple Step With Big Benefits

Monitoring your home’s online presence isn’t about paranoia—it’s about awareness. A Google Alert is a small, proactive step that gives you more control over how your property appears on the internet and helps you stay ahead of potential scams.

In a world where information spreads quickly, a little digital vigilance goes a long way.