House Stealing

House stealing is a form of identity theft in which the legal ownership to a home is stolen from its rightful owner. According to an FBI report, the crime is a form of fraud in which con artists assume the identity of the victim in order to obtain the title to the home, then sell it. The scam is most common with vacant homes. However, in early 2007, a one-time real estate investor plead guilty to targeting over 100 homes, many with existing tenants.

Fast Facts:

1. Fairly uncommon
2. FBI recommends these measures:
   • Inspect any mortgage info you receive in mail, even if addressed to someone else
   • Regularly check county deeds office for unfamiliar paperwork

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