Most people worry about their bikes and cars being stolen.
But that's exactly what happened to D'Andrea Turner.
“It feels very surreal,” Turner said. Share in an interview with ABC 15 Arizona. “I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. I really didn't even think this was going to happen.”
But it did. Turner's ex-husband Keith (a long-distance truck driver) left the house abandoned for a while, with two strangers, Aaron Pormantia and Reledella Hollen pushing their way.
Once inside, they found a personal document belonging to Turner, forged a new document, and assumed their identity.
“The squatters stole my house,” Turner said. “They actually moved, posed as me and sold my house.”
With fraudulent documents in hand, Polmanteer and Hollen successfully listed and sold the house for $200,000, without Turner knowing it.
They may have left it too, but they ran into trouble when they tried a cash check written on Turner's name.
Polmanteer and Hollen are now awaiting trial, and Turner's house is back on his right. However, the story highlights the growth trends of criminals who sell their property without knowing it. Here's how you can protect yourself from this disturbing crime:
What is Title Scam?
Your key gives you physical access to your home, but title We will secure your legal rights. That right is recorded in a Certificatea legal document that certifies who holds ownership.
In a legitimate real estate transaction, title transfer is Real Estate Agenttitle company, and notary to ensure that everything is properly documented.
However, scammers know how to operate the system, and sometimes they slip these safeguards into undetected.
Ask Turner. Forgerying documents and impersonating her and her ex-husband, Polmanteer and Hollen were able to trick the title company and notary.
By the time Turner realized what had happened, the property had already changed hands on paper.
When Turner saw the forged document, she was unsure. “It's not my name, it's not my signature,” she said in an interview with ABC 15 Arizona. “How does this happen? At what point did someone not do their job?”
How to protect your property from title fraud
Title fraud It happens to everyone and to everyone, but vacant or mortgage-free properties are at the greatest risk.
Without an aggressive safeguard, homeowners may not discover that their title has been stolen until much later after the hand has been changed.
Monitor your property
Monitoring your property is essential to combat title theft. Many counties, including Maricopa County, where Turner's home is located, will provide you with a free notification whenever a document is recorded in your name.
This means if there's someone Submitting fraudulent transfer of conduct You will be notified immediately of your property and will be given the opportunity to notify the authorities.
Another way to catch a scam before it happens is to set up a simple Google alert on your address.
Bad actors may sell stolen properties to be sold before the homeowner realizes something is wrong. Google Alerts will be notified whenever your address is listed on the web.
Work with a trusted title company
The job of the title company is to ensure that the property changes hands from seller to buyer without hidden issues like scams.
As part of this process, they conduct in-depth research into the history of the property, check for unresolved mortgages, and Limitedunpaid taxes that may affect judgment or ownership.
Once the title is clear, the company will edit the title report and issue title insurance. This protects buyers from financial or legal troubles in terms of hidden claims and fraud in the future, as in Turner's case.
Scams are not always preventable, Title Insurance It can act as a financial safety net and prevent homeowners and buyers from leaving someone else's payment for fraudulent notifications.
Protect your home and your personal information
The con artist who stole Turner's home was able to do so after accessing personal documents that helped to forge ownership records.
Whether your home is occupied or vacant, taking simple precautions can help prevent this type of theft.
- Maintain acts, mortgage documents, and personal identification in another safe place, such as a locked safe or safety deposit box.
- If you own a second home, are on the move, or are away for a long time, please do not leave any tax forms, invoices, or personal documents.
- Use a locked mailbox or PO box to prevent email theft. This is a common method used in identity scams.
What should I do if I suspect a title fraud?
If you think someone is tampering with your home title, act quickly. The sooner you catch fraudulent activities, the more likely you are to regain ownership.
- Check the property record: Visit the county recorder's office (online or in person) to see the latest practices. If you find any unauthorized changes, please report them immediately and request a copy of the unauthorized document.
- Please submit a police report: Title fraud is a serious crime. Contact your local law enforcement agency and, if necessary, contact a professional fraud investigation unit. You may need to warn the state attorney general or FBI if there is any involvement of identity theft or interstate transactions.
- Consult a real estate lawyer: an lawyer Those who specialize in property disputes and fraud can help you regain your title, submit the necessary documents, and navigate the legal process that may lead to civil lawsuits against the responsible person.
- Title: Notify the company. Title If the company is involved in an unauthorized transaction, please let us know immediately. Many agencies have fraud divisions that can reverse illegal transfers.
Act promptly and leverage appropriate legal and investigative resources to work towards your property efforts.
