It's alarmingly easy for thieves to steal the deed to your home
Thieves go online, look up the information to a home, forge a few documents, and just like that, they own your home
Thieves go online, look up the information to a home, forge a few documents, and just like that, they own your home
Thieves go online, look up the information to a home, forge a few documents, and just like that, they own your home
We've all heard of thieves stealing from inside a home, but how about stealing the entire house?
There’s a disturbing new trend where scammers can take your house without ever even stepping foot on your property.
A home is the most valuable investment that most people have, and it’s under attack.
“It's very easy to steal a deed,” Lawyer Mark Roy said.
It's happening daily around the country and in the metro area. Thieves go online, look up the information to a home, forge a few documents, and just like that, they own your home.
The problem has the attention of the Kansas City area congressman.
“People in our community, in our metropolitan area who have lost their homes, I decided we had to make this a national issue,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II said.
To help slow down the issue, Cleaver is trying to put more safeguards in place to require IDs or fingerprints for people doing transactions with deeds.
As it stands now, the process of stealing is so easy, and victims are the ones paying the price.
“Think about this. Someone steals your property, and then you have to spend thousands of dollars getting it returned,” Cleaver said.
It's far from fair, but it's a new reality in this information age. Seniors and abandoned homes are at the top of the list, but everyone is vulnerable.
“A police detective said, ‘I can steal your home,’ and that sent chills through me because we are all vulnerable, and it's a reality,” Cleaver said.
The key to safety is vigilance, check the status of your property regularly with the records office. Another warning sign is not receiving your tax notice.
The recorder’s office has to accept any paperwork that meets the requirements for sale. They do not have to contact the homeowner.