Attempted title fraud on property we own

[Anonymous]

Dh inherited an undeveloped lot in a popular vacation area. We pay the property taxes and have thoughts about building a house someday, but it is currently undeveloped.

A real estate agent in the area reached out to him today to let him know that someone claiming to be him offered to sell the lot to her. She was suspicious about this person’s claims and asked him for a copy of his driver’s license to prove that he was the “John Jones” who owns the property. The guy sent a copy of a drivers license that had my husband’s name and address and correct DL number, but a different person’s picture and personal info. She tracked us down online and reached out to my husband to let him know.

The deed registrar for the county lets you sign up for alerts for any activity under your name so we did that. I don’t know what else we can do. Would it help for us to buy title insurance at this point?

[Anonymous]

WOW this is crazy. You need to lock down your credit hard. I would definitely buy title insurance.

[Anonymous]

Huge problem right now, particularly in vacation home destinations and rural land plots. Go on the RE forums on Reddit, tons of postings about potential scams.

Here's a case where a plot of land owned by a NY doctor's family for over 70 years was fraudulently sold to a local developer. The developer built a house on the property that is two-thirds finished. Now the land owner is suing the developer.
https://www.knightbarry.com/owner-discovers-house-built-on-vacant-lot

[Anonymous]

Quit Claim Fraud is on the rise:

https://www.wfsb.com/2024/04/18/i-team-quit-claim-fraud-rise-connecticut-towns-invest-protection

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/deed-fraud-quitclaim-home-title-theft/

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/zneh8y/quit_claim_title_fraud_and_now_they_sold_my_home/

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/1b83ln0/my_husband_and_i_recently_became_aware_of_a/

They seem to target land, houses stuck in probate/inherited homes, and properties behind on taxes.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you contact the police in that area so they can arrest the person who is doing it.
Hopefully the lady who contacted you will cooperate with the police.

[Anonymous]

Real estate attorney here. Literally at no point was your title ever at risk. A forged deed is a legal nullity.

[Anonymous]

I would contact the police immediately. If the agent didn’t tip him off, maybe they can get the guy for fraud. Or at least put something on his record so they know to watch him if similar things happen in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Real estate attorney here. Literally at no point was your title ever at risk. A forged deed is a legal nullity.

Well, yeah, the forged deed isn’t worth the paper it is printed on. But did you see the pp about a developer literally building a house on property under similar circumstances? The legal technicality you cite doesn’t prevent serious problems. That owner has had to file suit, and I’m sure the fraudster is nowhere to be found—so they won’t be getting any money from them for the attorney fees or for dealing with the half of a house on their property.

[Anonymous]

Wow. This is crazy. How do you put steps in as a homeowner to prevent this from happening?

[Anonymous]

I think regularlly visiting the property (or having helpful neighbors) can help. You'd see a building permit posted or signs of construction if something like that was happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Real estate attorney here. Literally at no point was your title ever at risk. A forged deed is a legal nullity.

Well, yeah, the forged deed isn’t worth the paper it is printed on. But did you see the pp about a developer literally building a house on property under similar circumstances? The legal technicality you cite doesn’t prevent serious problems. That owner has had to file suit, and I’m sure the fraudster is nowhere to be found—so they won’t be getting any money from them for the attorney fees or for dealing with the half of a house on their property.

A title is not a “legal technicality”. It’s the whole ball game. Yes, you have to sue. And yes the defrauded buyer’s title insurance will be invoked, if there is no title insurance the defrauded buyer will be responsible for costs themselves.

It’s a good reminder to buyer owners title insurance!

[Anonymous]

This happened to us - vacant lot, realtor called bc things sounded sus - nothing happened but the lot was on MLS & an offer was made…

[Anonymous]

Totally happened toy in-laws as well (undeveloped plot in West Florida)

[Anonymous]

How tf did he have your husband’s drivers license number??

[Anonymous]

My family built a house on land like this just to avoid this scenario. It was very common for other people to build houses on undeveloped plots and sell them.