New legislation safeguards New York homeowners from deed theft
Deed theft can occur through various means, including forging an owner's signature on a deed and filing it with the county clerk or manipulating an owner into unintentionally signing the deed over to a scammer.
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Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation aimed at safeguarding New York homeowners from deed theft, a fraudulent act wherein someone gains title to a property without the owner's knowledge or consent.
Deed theft can occur through various means, including forging an owner's signature on a deed and filing it with the county clerk or manipulating an owner into unintentionally signing the deed over to a scammer.
The new legislation empowers the attorney general and local district attorneys handling cases of deed theft to pause related eviction and ownership dispute proceedings.
Additionally, it broadens the spectrum of crimes that enable prosecutors to invalidate fraudulent sale and loan documents.
Individuals who suspect they may have fallen victim to deed theft are encouraged to report such incidents to the attorney general's office at 800-771-7755 for further investigation and legal action.
