Category: Deed Fraud
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Deed-Stealing Florida Broker Pleads GUILTY
Michael B., a real estate broker, has changed his mind. He’s now pleading guilty in a felony fraud case involving deed theft. In Florida, fraudulent real estate schemes are not unusual. But when a real estate broker in active status is pursued for deed fraud, that’s the kind of case that stands out. Yes, you read…
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Stay Informed with Snohomish County’s Recorded Document Notification System
Snohomish County Washington is now offering a valuable service for property owners – the Recorded Document Notification System. This free, voluntary system is designed to alert you whenever a document containing your name or tax parcel number is officially recorded.
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Deed Theft Crackdown: New York’s on a Roll
New York State Attorney General Letitia James is championing a cause near and dear to our hearts: safe and secure deeds. On the last day of July 2023, the A.G. announced an indictment of a Long Island resident for deed theft. Joseph Makhani faces two counts of criminal possession of stolen property and one count…
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Lee County, Florida Buyers and Sellers: New ID Rule for Deed Filing as of August 2023
After Florida passed HB 1419 to deal with deed fraud in the state, Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes announced a new requirement for filing a property deed. As of August 2023 and onward, you’ll need a government-produced photo ID if you expect to file a deed in Lee County. Why specifically there? Because Lee County,…
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Swindlers Beware: Texas Makes Its Move to Head Off “Dirty Deeds”
They call it the dirty deeds law. Recorders of Texas deeds may, as of July 2023, card people who show up to file home deed transfers. Meanwhile, in Arizona, a swindler sold an ill-gotten deed to the Zillow® real estate company. Texas is lowering the boom. The state will now have its deed recorders verify…
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Quitclaim Forgery Is Snatching Florida Homes From Seniors and Dead People
Some people will steal their own mothers’ homes. In a stunning case of deed fraud, a woman named Wanda donned a wig and pretended to be her own elderly mother, then tried to steal her home in Hillsborough County, Florida. A video recording shows Wanda using the Notarize computer-based notary service, signing a quitclaim deed.…
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“Deed Theft” Is a Crime, Says New York Legislature
On June 24, 2023, New York’s lawmakers passed a bill to create the crime of deed theft and help New Yorkers hold onto their homes. The state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, has been vocal about the need for new legislation to help keep New Yorkers in their homes. State Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assembly member…
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New York’s Attorney General Gets Tougher on Deed Thieves
New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a new package of legislation to create the specific crime of “deed theft.” Deed theft occurs when someone conveys a property deed to another party without the informed consent of the rightful owner. The new law against it is meant to bolster the remedies available under New…
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In Long Island, New York: A Spectacular Case of Alleged Deed Theft
Nassau County, New York is known as America’s first suburban county. It’s an area with beautiful real estate, including the lovely Long Island home of Rosemarie Mika. This 78-year-old homeowner is now fighting for that lovely home — in a spectacular case of alleged deed theft. It happened, the records show, on October 11 of…
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In the News: Struggling and Elderly Homeowners Targeted by Deed Fakery
Imagine a licensed real estate broker — of all people — accused of taking other people’s homes and selling them. Imagine someone deciding to fake a deed to steal the house of an elderly homeowner who’s ill and in a nursing home. These are both real stories, now unfolding in Florida.
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Texas AG Investigates Home Title Lock
The latest cyberthreat is home equity theft, warns the Home Title Lock company. “Are you already a victim?” The company warns potential customers to “lock” their deeds, or they could be left homeless and mired in credit problems. Now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Home Title Lock’s advertising.
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$199 Check From “County Deed Records”? Recognize Home Warranty Renewal Scams
Frauds and fakers commonly target homeowners for money. In one of the sleaziest schemes going on at the moment, a home warranty vendor is trying to get homeowners to sign up for its product. What’s worse, the marketing letters don’t look like sales materials. They look like they come from the local recorder of deeds.…
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Heirs, Protect the Seniors in Your Life From Deed Theft
A 91-year-old Floridian recently sent a payment to his insurer. Then the agent called to say the company wouldn’t be able to renew the homeowner’s policy. The deed had been transferred. The home was now legally owned by another person. Some days later, from his bedroom, this shocked and disoriented senior heard three people come…
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New Fraud Fighter: The Good DEED Act
Deed fraud infects cities and counties all over the United States. This kind of fraud involves forging a deed, impersonating someone who holds a title to a home, or falsely authorizing a transfer of real estate ownership. It’s essentially a home-stealing scheme. Now, lawmakers are taking action to make life harder for deed thieves. In…
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Deed Scam Update: Fake Documents Transfer Dead Floridians’ Houses
In Daytona Beach, a suspect has pleaded “not guilty” to organized fraud. The crime involved two homes, stolen by deed fraud, with multiple notaries enlisted as part of the scheme. The Volusia County, Florida suspect faces a first-degree felony charge, punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He is accused of creating fraudulent quitclaim…
