It does say the town of Fairfield has a fraud alert you can sign up for on their web site. Any times there is some action on the property you will be notified. I’m not sure if most towns or counties have that.
The county I lived in developed a plan that went through the checks and balances of the legal system.
Basically you pay $50 at the Assessors office and in return they guarantee no one but you can transfer the deed and you have to do it in person. Otherwise anyone could just call and tell them to transfer it. I don't know why it's so easy but this is one way to prevent this kind of fraud. I don't think it should cost $50 though. I think it should be a free service covered under the property taxes every homeowner pays. I'm sure a death certificate and power of attorney through a will would also suffice but they would verify it.