Your home could be stolen
CRIMINALS are taking advantage of changes in the law to transfer the ownership of land and property to themselves.
They are easily able to do this because land certificates have been abolished and all property titles in England and Wales are published online.
Many home owners may not even be aware that a fraudster who has impersonated them in a form of identity theft has stolen the rights to their property until it is too late.
Solicitor Patrick McCloy, said yesterday: "I have come across four cases of this in the last year alone.”
He added that he believed the problem was “substantial” and growing.
By changing an owners’ address for official correspondence, a fraudster can take out a mortgage and even sell the property.
The most likely victims are the elderly, particularly those in care homes or hospital, homeowners who live abroad, absent landlords and people owning properties outright.
Criminals are using changes in the law to transfer the ownership of property to themselves
People in these categories often own properties without a mortgage, making them easier targets.
In 2009-10, the Land Registry, the state body which holds all records of UK properties, paid £4.9million for 53 claims arising from fraud and forgery, a tenfold increase on the £491,656 for 15 claims in 2004-05.
The scam typically sees fraudsters take out a mortgage using someone else’s identity.
They put some of it into an account to make some repayments and pocket the rest.
The lender only finds out when the bank account runs dry, with the real property deed holder left liable for the debt.
In 2009 Simon and Christine Rowntree thought selling their large family home in Birmingham to move to a smaller property would be straightforward but to their amazement, the Land Registry told them they no longer owned their house.
Christine said: “We couldn’t believe it. We didn’t have a mortgage, we owned it outright. It was just unbelievable.” Trevor Guy, who owns land in Manchester, had his property stolen by fraudsters who took out a mortgage for more than £100million.
He took the case to court, but while the court did not dispute he was the rightful owner, he was deemed liable for the debt charge run up by the crooks. Mr Guy continues to fight his case.
Ben Francis, of estate agents Sullivan Thomas in Parsons Green, west London, recently foiled a fraud when a tenant warned him that the flat he was renting had been “sold” by a fraudster.
Wiltshire solicitor Mr McCloy has teamed up with other lawyers to launch Gatekeeper Protection, a service designed to guard against theft by placing restrictions against an owner’s title.
The Land Registry website offers guidance and reassurance that it will compensate victims, but there is no guaranteed entitlement.
The Land Registry has said that increased investment in counter-fraud has already prevented fraud attempts of an estimated £20million. A spokeswoman said: “Homeowners have to be on the ball all the time.”
Last night Jamey Johnson, head of watchdog Action Fraud, said: “Victims should report fraud by visiting our website actionfraud.org.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040.”
