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Two New Yorkers — and one is a former lawyer and a licensed notary — have pleaded guilty to deed fraud charges in New York. The charges involve first-degree scheming to defraud, and additional counts related to forging and filing false documents to take deceased people’s titles in Nassau and Queens. A company run by …
Continue reading “Guilty Pleas in Long Island: Heirs Recover Their Stolen Deeds”
More Houston-area deed fraud victims are speaking out. The alleged perpetrator has already been charged with a first-degree felony of forgery, fraudulent document execution, and theft greater than $300,000, in connection with warranty deeds worth some $15 million. He would forge property owners’ signatures. Then he’d go buy their properties at a deep discount. Investigators …
Continue reading “Texas Warranty Deed Forgery Plot Thickens”
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 …
Continue reading “Deed-Stealing Florida Broker Pleads GUILTY”
Giver’s regret isn’t unusual. A desire to void the gift of a home after transferring the deed could happen for various reasons. Perhaps you recovered from a serious illness and could really use that home after all. Or maybe your tax expert told you that letting someone wait to inherit your home would be better …
Continue reading “I Deeded My Property to Someone Else. Can I Revoke My Gift?”
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 …
Continue reading “Deed Theft Crackdown: New York’s on a Roll”
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, …
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 …
Continue reading “Swindlers Beware: Texas Makes Its Move to Head Off “Dirty Deeds””
Whether it’s a homeowner’s title insurance policy, or a home/condo owner’s policy, no homeowner wants to be involved with apparent fraud. The potential consequences are serious. Although most criminal and real estate laws are established by the states, insurance fraud can implicate federal charges, like wire fraud, mail fraud, forgery, impersonation, and conspiracy. Let’s look …
Continue reading “Insurance Fraud: Homeowners Can Be Victims or Perpetrators”
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 …
Continue reading ““Deed Theft” Is a Crime, Says New York Legislature”
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 …
Continue reading “New York’s Attorney General Gets Tougher on Deed Thieves”