REGION — Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell wants to advise all residents of Wayne County of the recent increase of deed and real estate thefts that have occurred in Wayne County and neighboring New York State during the past year. 

Deed and real estate theft is defined as when someone transfers the title to a home without the victim / homeowner’s knowledge, approval or under false pretenses. Individuals profit from deed theft by recording the deed with the county clerk’s office, selling the property to another party and keeping the proceeds themselves, or obtaining home equity loans and using the stolen property as collateral.

Common deed theft schemes include:

• Fraud – A homeowner signs a document without knowing the document was a deed or signs the deed under false pretenses. This may be more common when a homeowner faces foreclosure and may not understand the legal consequences of signing the deed.
• Impersonation – A perpetrator may impersonate a deceased homeowner’s heir, or a living homeowner, using fraudulent identification and documents. To facilitate this, the suspects usually avoid in-person meetings.
• Targeting – Targeted properties may include abandoned homes, homes in foreclosure or with liens, properties owned by elderly, disabled or disadvantaged victims, or houses owned by deceased individuals where heirs have not transferred the title. 

District Attorney Howell suggests that homeowners occasionally check real estate websites, such as “www.zillow.com”, to see if their property is listed for sale. He also suggests that property owners check their properties to see if a “For Sale” sign has been placed on the property, especially if they are seasonal residents. Real Estate agencies are asked to remain vigilant when dealing with someone that contacts them about selling a property over the phone and not in person. 

If you believe that you are the victim of deed or real estate theft, please contact your local police department or call the Wayne County Detectives Office at (570) 253-4912.