POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Polk County household is searching for solutions as they cope with a case of property fraud.
A home belonging to a Polk County household for generations is now on the middle of high-priced courtroom battle over property fraud.
Eunice Grigsby believes the property in Fort Meade was quietly stolen when a give up declare deed was filed with fraudulent paperwork.
“Why ought to we let any person take one thing that belongs to us?” Grigsby stated. “Why do it’s a must to struggle for what’s rightfully yours?”
She additionally stated her household was unaware that the home was listed and offered.
“The quantity that they paid for it may by no means pay for the time and blood and sweat and tears and what my grandparents did to make sure we may have the property,” Grigsby stated.
Grigsby stated her household has paid greater than $25,000 in authorized charges over the course of 5 years and there nonetheless isn’t a assure they are going to get their home again.
The Hillsborough County Clerk of Court docket and Comptroller is making an attempt to curb property fraud by encouraging owners to sign up for the fraud alert system.
The renewed push to guard owners comes after a latest spike in circumstances throughout Hillsborough County.
“It may be taken with the stroke of a pen,” Hillsborough County Clerk of Court docket and Comptroller Cindy Stuart stated. “They’ll file a give up declare deed. It’s very troublesome to find out what’s fraudulent and what’s not.”
Stuart stated scammers use fraudulent paperwork to satisfy the necessities wanted to file for a deed.
“So long as they’ve a driver’s license, a notary signature, seal, and two signatures with addresses,” Stuart stated. “There’s actually no approach for us to find out if one thing is fraudulent. The wonder for us is that there’s a property fraud alert system that’s in place.”
The Fraud Alert System helps owners catch fraudulent exercise.
“Inside 48 hours, if one thing is filed in opposition to your property you’re going to get an alert and you’ll see all the things that has been filed,” Stuart stated.
Based on the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court docket and Comptroller web site, the free service helps owners shield their property from fraud by monitoring the paperwork being recorded within the Official Data of the Clerk of Court docket.
Registrants will obtain an e-mail or cellphone name anytime a doc is recorded in Hillsborough County with their title. For extra details about the Fraud Alert System, click here.
Based on the FBI, property and mortgage fraud is the fastest-growing white-collar crime in america.
The FBI has shared a list of tips online to assist property house owners shield themselves from fraud.
