when an attorney frauds you about your deed

If you are the victim of deed fraud, you will first want to have an attorney vacate the deed and any and all liens encumbering the property. Depending on what has occurred since the deed was fraudulently transferred, you may need to sue a number of entities, including the title company, if a title company was used to transfer the deed.

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What should I do if I receive a fraudulent deed?

Feb 16, 2022 · Request your credit reports so that you can analyze your records or set up credit and fraud monitoring. Report identity theft to the FTC. Notify the county clerk of the property fraud. File an identity theft report with the local police department. Change all your online passwords, set up 2FA, and follow other steps to protect yourself from ...

Do I need a lawyer to protect my property from fraud?

Nov 08, 2021 · The first step would be to contact local law enforcement for assistance and guidance. One would also want to make a call the county office that records deeds and property records to advise them of the fraud so they can be on the lookout for any further forgeries or …

How does deed fraud happen in New York State?

1 day ago · Stealing houses in Philadelphia, by fraudsters fabricating notarized deeds, spiked in 2018 and 2019. Fewer fake deed transfers occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. But records officials believe ...

What to do if you suspect mortgage fraud?

Dec 02, 2014 · Contact A Real Estate Attorney. A real estate attorney can help you obtain a “quiet title” which will clear any deeds that were improperly or fraudulently recorded. You need to have your original deed, mortgage documents, insurance policies and all relevant materials to show you are the rightful owner.

What is an illegal transfer of property?

Transfer will be considered as illegal if it is done on the following basis: Forging the documents — Forging the documents implies preparing the false documents like a Will, gift deed, sale deed etc. or forging the signatures on the documents, vide which the transfer has been effected.Aug 12, 2019

Does Home title theft really happen?

Real estate title and mortgage fraud are on the rise. Thieves and fraud artists can, in fact, steal your home. ... And, for the most part, these major crimes are committed with the use of the correct documentation and the knowledge about how the real estate process works.

Can a land title be forged?

Forging land titles; There are many cases where innocent purchasers acquire forged titles from fraudsters only to be surprised at the land registries when they are retained and cancelled on submission to effect a transfer. Many have been victims of such scam.Dec 22, 2020

Who holds the title to my house?

The title deeds to a property with a mortgage are usually kept by the mortgage lender. They will only be given to you once the mortgage has been paid in full. But, you can request copies of the deeds at any time.Sep 4, 2019

Can someone steal your house?

House stealing may sound scary, but it's actually quite rare. Sometimes called mortgage deed theft or title theft, house stealing happens when a criminal uses forged documents to fraudulently transfer your property deed into their name.

How can you tell if a land title is real?

The Register of Deeds should be able to provide you a “Certified True Copy” of the title to ensure its authenticity. Request the seller of the property to give you a photocopy of the title since the Register of Deeds will need information such as the title number and the owner's name.Jun 13, 2017

How can you tell a fake land title in Uganda?

Check the issue date: The issue date is always recorded in the registry at the office that it is issued from. If you are not 100% sure of the land title you can go to the office that it was issued from and confirm that the dates match. If they do not match then the land title is a fake and should be reported.Apr 28, 2018

Can a company own land in Uganda?

The 1995 Constitution grants land ownership rights solely to citizens of Uganda. Foreigners cannot own land freehold. ... Foreign investors, individual or corporate, cannot acquire land for the purpose of crop or animal production.

What can a real estate attorney do?

A real estate attorney can help you obtain a “quiet title” which will clear any deeds that were improperly or fraudulently recorded. You need to have your original deed, mortgage documents, insurance policies and all relevant materials to show you are the rightful owner.

What is house stealing?

Deed fraud, or “house-stealing” is when someone forges your identity and transfers your property into their name. This is a very common practice that has run rampant in a number of cities all over the United States.

What to do if a friend passes away?

If a family member or friend has passed away and you are in possession of the property, treat it as if it were your own. There are many individuals who scour the obituaries, checking to see whether or not there are any properties that may be available to forge a deed and take possession.

Who is Max Beier?

Maximilian F. Beier is a partner at Beier, Beier & Beier. He joined the law firm in 2001 as an associate after a two-year clerkship with Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge, John P. Hester. He was made a partner in 2007. Max is experienced in litigating personal injury claims and product liability issues in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania. Additional litigation experience includes business disputes, contract actions, real-estate and domestic matters. Max and wife Michele reside in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh, and are the proud parents of Maximilian Finley “Finn," and Braxton Beier.

What are the signs of title fraud?

“These include receiving a notice for an unpaid water bill, real estate tax bill, or mortgage bill. Receipt of a notice of foreclosure when you always pay on time or don’t even have a mortgage is another red flag. And certainly evidence of activity at an unoccupied home or vacation property is another telltale sign.”

How to prevent title fraud?

To prevent home title fraud from occurring, follow these best practices: 1 Be careful with emails. Don’t click on links or open attachments within any suspicious emails. “Also, don’t provide personal information over email, and be sure to verify the sender of emails you receive,” advises Liu. 2 Use strong passwords – and change them every few months – for all your online accounts. 3 Regularly monitor your three free credit reports, available for free annually at annualcreditreport.com. 4 Verify your property ownership. “Property records are public records. So make routine inquiries on your county property appraiser and county tax collector’s websites to confirm that you remain the owner of record,” says Hollander. 5 Physically monitor your property. “Visit and check on your home regularly,” Hollander advises. “If yours is a vacation home or second home, have a trusted person drive by. Have them verify that there are no persons or activities on the property that you did not permit and there is no for-sale sign posted.” 6 Think twice before providing your John Hancock. “Be very wary of anyone requesting that you sign documents or instruments you’re unsure about,” Hollander cautions. 7 Take identity theft protection measures….

Who is most vulnerable to identity theft?

Particularly vulnerable are those who suffer identity theft and seniors taken advantage of by fraudsters. Also, those with second homes, vacation homes, or abandoned homes, foreign real estate investors, and heirs or inheritors of a deceased person’s estate can become victims.

Is title fraud a serious crime?

Make no mistake: Home title fraud is serious. Left unchecked, a victim can lose their home as a result of this crime. And getting the problem remedied can be difficult and quite costly. “The legal fees required to resolve the consequences can be in the tens of thousands. It will require filing a complaint in court.

How to prevent title fraud?

Generally, to prevent title problems, resolve to keep up with your affairs. Schedule regular checks on your property at the county register of deeds’ website. Look for unexpected deeds, liens, loans, or court filings.

Why are powers of attorney drafted?

Where allowed by law, some powers of attorney are drafted so someone else monitors the use of the power. Some states use their laws to limit potential POA abuse. In New York, for example, both the principal and agent must sign the POA.

What is a POA in a will?

Often accompanying a will, a power of attorney (POA) names a relative, friend, or adviser as an agent. If a person (called the principal) loses the capacity to make binding agreements, the power of attorney is vital . That said, choosing an agent can backfire on the best of us.

What is a power of attorney?

Definitions: Powers of Attorney. General powers of attorney give an agent wide authority to handle the principal’s transactions, small or large. Actions can include taking items from a safe, agreeing to a home sale, obtaining personal data, and applying for loans or insurance.

What is nondurable power of attorney?

Typically, a nondurable power of attorney is used for a specific transaction —for example, in the principal’s absence. The springing power of attorney , where allowed by law, takes effect when the principal is deemed incapacitated. This allows another person to sell the home when its owner no longer can.

What is POA in real estate?

The POA is attached to a recorded deed, demonstrating proper conveyance. That said, when an adult child transfers title to the parent’s home as a gift, be sure the POA expressly allows gifts of real estate, so that the deed is valid.

Can a POA be revoked?

The POA can set an expiry date, requiring the principal to review and reformulate the arrangement as necessary. And a principal of sound mind may always revoke the POA. For a home sale, the principal should send the agent a revocation notice.

How to protect yourself from fraud?

Are You Protected as the True Owner of Property Taken Through Fraud? 1 You still own the home because any deeds conveying it to another party are fraudulent, as is your forged signature. 2 Those involved in the scheme have committed criminal acts and can be prosecuted. 3 An attorney can help sort out the situation effectively and as quickly as possible.

Does title insurance cover fraud?

In the past, title insurance has not typically covered future fraud or title theft, but in Connecticut and many other states homeowners can now obtain title insurance with enhanced fraud protection. It is only offered for improved property—not lots or undeveloped land—and adds an extra 10 percent to the premium cost.