FBI warns property thefts up 500%, several attempted cases reported in NC

Friday, September 27, 2024

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Authorities are warning about property theft scams, with incidents up 500% in the past few years. Your home and property, typically your biggest asset, have become major targets for scammers.

The FBI warns that property theft scams often start when someone pretends to be the property owner. Jim Dennehy, a Special Agent with the FBI, explains, “The bad actor might send out unsolicited emails to unsuspecting realtors. They want a cash deal within weeks. They’ve sold the land that doesn’t even belong to them.”

Experts say property theft scams occur in many ways, including scammers faking documents to pose as the real owners. They may contact real estate agents to list the property, and if it’s sold, the deed is transferred, leaving the original owners to take the case to court to win their property back. Dennehy notes that the FBI is alerting real estate brokers and title companies about these scams.

Raleigh homeowner Craig Adams recently discovered that a stranger had filed a false warranty deed on his $4 million home. Adams said, “I found out she had filed a false warranty claim on this house and tried to steal it.” The suspect, Dawn Mangum, is now in custody, charged with attempting to obtain property under false pretenses. Mangum told ABC11 she thought Adams’ home was in foreclosure and believed she could claim the property. After learning the home wasn’t in foreclosure, she said she stopped the paperwork.

Although Adams still owns his home, the false deed won’t show up on a title search unless a judge declares it fraudulent. He has filed a civil lawsuit against Mangum. “What happens to the people that don’t find out their houses had a false claim, warranty, deed, and then the person gets a tax statement, and they end up in their house,” Adams added.

ABC11 previously reported on another case in which a Wake County woman, Tarsha Blalock, discovered her land was listed for sale without her knowledge. Blalock said, “I got online and saw my land listed everywhere. Zillow, Redfin, Coldwell Bankers. I’m like, why is my land for sale?” She immediately contacted the listing agent and was able to stop the sale after proving she was the rightful owner.

FBI Agent Dennehy emphasizes, “It all comes down to due diligence on behalf of the buyer, real estate agent, the title companies, and beyond.”

Original article: https://abc11.com/post/deed-scams-rise-several-property-theft-north-carolina-500-percent-nationwide/15360053/