Kim Page, a Detroit homeowner, thought she had finally achieved her dream of owning a home when she purchased a single-family brick house on Britain Street in 2021. However, her dream turned into a nightmare when she discovered that she had fallen victim to deed fraud.

What is Deed Fraud?

Deed fraud, also known as quit claim deed fraud or home title theft, is a crime where scammers forge signatures to record a phony transfer of property ownership. Once the fraudster appears to hold title, they can try to sell the property to an investor or an unsuspecting buyer looking for stable housing.

In Michigan and most other states, recording offices do not have authority to substantively review a deed to determine whether it is fraudulent. If the document complies with technical formatting requirements, such as margin and font size, it must be recorded. This means that a fraudulent deed can enter the public record, look valid to the outside world, and remain undiscovered for months or even years.

Vulnerable Homeowners

Deed fraud often targets vulnerable people and properties, including elderly owners, families dealing with inherited homes, and houses that appear vacant or neglected. In Detroit, the problem is particularly prevalent due to the high number of cash sales and properties with unpaid taxes.

The Wayne County Mortgage and Deed Fraud Unit has tracked more than 13,000 inquiries regarding deed fraud and has opened over 2,300 cases throughout Wayne County since 2005. The unit’s work is crucial in helping to protect homeowners from falling victim to this type of crime.

Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.