Beware of 'title pirates' in for Central Texas landowners | FOX 7 Austin

A scam targeting landowners appears to be happening in the Austin area. The scammers are called 'title pirates' and are targeting landowners.
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[@davidfreeland4368]

Remind me why we pay for 'Title Insurance'. Isn't the Title Co. supposed to be on the hook for verifying all the parties are who they say they are?

[@Hybridog]

It's another example of how so many people are trying to "game" every rule, law, system and norm that we have had for centuries. No one wants to "play by the rules" any longer. It seems we need to restructure any number of laws and regulations to ensure they function as intended and cannot be easily "hacked" by the unethical.

[@joelewis5187]

They are hiding in the title companies. That how they get you information. They are working with the scammers. They usually have people at the court house too. You will find they all go to same religious organization.

[@robertgrays8790]

They are liable if they didn't do their checks properly with the information provided by the government. If the government provides fraudulent documentation they can claim they're not responsible.

[@zeroshepard9513]

They are. You wanted small government and to privatize everything. Now you have half rate businesses with no government oversight. Did you think people out to make money have your best interest? Your government only cares about making pregnancy a risk to life. They dont care what businesses do to anyone else.

[@brianm4178]

Yes but corporate America gives them all the passes. Yhe passes end up woth the shit in the homeowners hands

[@user-ln7of9gs4s]

Finger prints required, do not accept notary signatures because they can be fraudulent. This needs to stop. Lawmakers need to do something.

[@swallowedinthesea11]

We need to do something to get the lawmakers to do something worthy.

[@mjay512]

Generally in CA Notaries require thumbprints.

[@TruthOverAgenda-u7o]

Sue the Title companies.

[@insethurdle88]

Title policy insurance

[@chrisbaker963]

Seriously, how is this a problem? If a title company proceeds and it turns out to be fraudulent. They should be help responsible.

[@AlexPatterson-co4gh]

Title companies write hundred thousand dollar checks to re-election campaigns. That is why laws don't hold them responsible.

[@brianm4178]

​@user-iy1vo2jf2qcorporate America, the land of business. Certainly not the brave...

[@insethurdle88]

​@user-iy1vo2jf2qThat's not how that works

[@insethurdle88]

This is what title policy insurance is for

[@Sindarielle]

Thankfully this Realtor went with his gut and went out to the property which ended up protecting himself and the real landowner from fraud. Good job!

[@samuelb6960]

Why do we have to pay so much to title companies and title insurance companies if they are not going to do their job?

[@insethurdle88]

They are

[@JohnSmith-nj4zq]

Scammers should get all of their assets taken away and let them work in a labor camp for 10 years.

[@Omar_Zazzle]

Just deport them to North Korea.

[@johnnichols2710]

Amen

[@bryanx5829]

Make them fight in the hunger games.

[@karenwhite4461]

We're not Nazis. We don't do labor camps. Well, unless you own private prisons. I agree with selling some of their assets to pay restitution, but we don't want them on welfare unnecessarily either or homeless. They're already trying to get a free ride off someone else's labor. Let's save social services for those that actually need them.

[@tastyterpenes4140]

Im a huge fan of Marcus Aurelius…. but I really want to see a modern colosseum 😂

[@Mlogan11]

Can't help but notice they ignored the main line of defense that is failing- county property offices not being rigorous enough in validating ID when someone submits a Title change form.

[@elizabethhenthorn8570]

I don't think it's a requirement by statute.

[@insethurdle88]

​@@elizabethhenthorn8570don't think instead know about something before speaking on it

[@elizabethhenthorn8570]

@@insethurdle88 Thank you for the suggestion.

[@JD-xo3xz]

Not gonna happen. Im in FL, and they say it's not their responsibility, and take it up to civil court. All they do is record. Such BS.

[@westwithers3818]

Now that’s a great realtor. He actually did his due diligence.

[@texasstardust6010]

A " MOBILE NOTARY " SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED. EVER. Period. How is it that this is happening to so many Owners of Homes/ Land. ..?? WAIT. TECHNOLOGY. WHICH HAS GONE FROM A " CONVENIENCE " TO A CRIMINAL INTENT / CRIMINALS PARADISE. And, the Title Companies need to be held responsible!

[@lemontea128]

Fraudulent sales should be nulled

[@silentmajority8365]

Technology and diversity ruined this country

[@FluffberryMcstuffins]

Probably bad news for Trump if we applied the same standards here.

[@weaksause6878]

The bank got scammed not Joe Grasso

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@silentmajority8365 here we go again. there's always one in the crowd. No doubt the scammers were "diverse" and "progressive" tech-savvy devils and not the good, God-fearing, red blooded caucastic "REAL" American types. Right?

[@Jonathan-b2j7s]

Is null and void..

[@joelewis5187]

Fraud has no statute of limitations, and no a judge cannot rule on fraud. So, the sale is not legal. Yes, the property is still yours. Get a restate lawyer. He should be able to expose the fraud and null the sale.

[@TheThisisliving]

Title company is responsible for any and all losses.

[@dc100dc100]

Supposedly, if you put a lien on the property in your own name, you can complicate this theft.

[@mbn0505]

That is actually a really good idea!

[@JimDean002]

That is a really good idea because they won't close until a lien has been satisfied. It's kind of a backdoor way of making sure you get notified

[@lineset7765]

The sale should not be valid.

[@InT3graTi-Of-Pur3InH3arT]

EXACTLY 💯

[@loboneiner1034]

It is invalid because there will be violence if someone tries to throw me off my land.

[@weaksause6878]

The bank got scammed not Joe Grasso

[@weaksause6878]

The bank got scammed not Joe Grasso

[@kjam360]

The RED FLAG for me would be, "I want to move FAST". This should be a RED FLAG to EVERY Realtor! That's when you take the steps like this Realtor did and expose them! This world has gotten EVIL and damn near EVERYTHING in it! It's a damn shame when you have stuff like this going on! What's next, someone trying to sell your car while you're driving it?

[@joshflanders9535]

Definitely should have a 5 year penalty mandatory prison time for theft of land property.

[@thedeafcattledog8608]

On a chain gang on I-35 in August

[@piratelechuck1911]

Let trash into your system and this is what happens. Nobody is surprised.

[@Trike.]

The real owner can , with the help of his attorney place a Lis Pendens on the property to stop any future transfers , but actually the person that bought the from the scammer will most likely be out their money once they get it onto court .

[@mjay512]

This is BS. If a loan company is involved it should be on them, since they gave a loan to a buyer for land that was not owned by their seller. When paperwork is brought in to the county recorder, by the buyer or seller, rather than received from an Escrow Company, the County Recorder needs to Verify the owner of record and NOT record anything until they have responded. NEVER should the real landowner or home owner be the one who forfeits anything. Also we need Legislation FAST making the penalty for this crime NOT worth the risk. This should have already been done. Instead we have Legislators here in CA who are downgrading crime, making it hard on victims.

[@CrainialCommando]

Some states offer a notification system for when a land title changes hands but it doesn't cover very many states and needs to be implemented country wide for safety.

[@KevinCook-f4z]

The County/City needs to reach out to the owner if for any reason there is a change to the deed of ownership or attempted ownership and they would need to meet at the county assessors office!

[@JD-xo3xz]

I'm in FL and did that only after I found out that you have to go online and place a notice to be emailed to you if there is any change in your title status. By then, it becomes a civil matter to battle out for months.

[@BriannaJames-dk6yn]

New laws need to be passed to protect homeowners. Fraudulent identifications are way too easy to obtain and not easy to verify.

[@goodoljackburton9211]

The scammers are hardly ever caught and punished. It’s why this sort of fraud continues.

[@matthewrogers94mr]

Heres a solution the title hast to be done in person with multitude forms of ID to transfer the title.

[@sexyplexie]

it's less of a drain on society to hold title companies responsible so they do their job.

[@whiskeystraw]

This is the type of stuff Congress should be on 4 years ago instead of this Social Media Politics. A national rule needs made to protect all Americans.

[@sexyplexie]

it's a state issue, not a federal issue, but yeah this does seem more important than lawfare, the onslaught of constitutional violations, frivolous EO reversals, or the banning of public forums to control public opinions.

[@honkeykong9563]

First there were Porch Pirates and now Title Pirates!? What's next?! Butt Pirates?!

[@Marshmallowzzzzz]

Only in June 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@trinaisspeakin4539]

The fact that the government makes this so damn easy is the actual problem. It should be extremely difficult to change anything that requires a title to be changed from name to name.

[@monos70]

I wonder what their battlecry is. For regular pirates its:"Yarrrrr!"

[@lothean2099]

I think if people start suing the title companies, this might slow down this type of crime.

[@silentmajority8365]

Could this happen had we not outsourced financial info online?

[@R7Romeo]

I call this having a quarter waiting on a dime. People are still faster than the clock including the agents clerks an all.

[@phillhuddleston9445]

You should have to do this in person with photos taken and possibly other measures to prove that you are the real owner. Usually the sale involves a cashiers check made to the seller, They should be able to track this to the person that cashed the check that had the real owners name on it, these transactions do not use cash.

[@KahsoDeArtist]

This happened to my family in Cedar Park. This idiot even had a way to remotely open the lockbox to look into the house.

[@jongonegone1262]

they forced us to use it, GET RID OF THE INTERNET.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

A screen shot is not a valid legal anything.

[@niteshades_promise]

was good enough for "covid passports" 🍻

[@TheFlatbedChick]

It should be WAY harder to transfer title. Online absentee “ owners” should NOT be allowed. They should have to show up in person, show Multiple forms of ID and wait for a background / ownership check to go through before being allowed to sell a property! It should be just as complicated involved as getting a mortgage on a property. These crappy laws that benefit CRIMINALS should be replaced!!

[@drew7257]

Mobile Notaries are the 1st problem...

[@Demshavenobrains]

Same thing happened with Graceland…

[@countessk]

It would be nice if the news would share ways this can be prevented. Is there such a thing as a title freeze like there is for credit? And how can it be done? That would be useful info.

[@gc5Hayward]

This stuff is serious; happened-almost to a family friend; the realtor last minute with final documents in decided to stop at friends address to confirm the sale and what a shock to find they were one check away from losing their property not even aware.

[@r.j.4950]

Can one of these geniuses tell whatever happened to doing a title search as would normally be done if using a lawyer ? You can also do one yourself for a small fee, any real estate broker or sales person can and should do one before any transaction. Make it a felony to not perform a title search & having it notarized.

[@Bluebird-farm]

Put them in jail for life and it would stop this shot!!! We have got way too damn soft on crime in this country…. Sick of it, cant believe this and many other things are happening in this country in the last 4 years!!!

[@Trysaratop]

I feel bad for the notary if tricked into signing because they can get fined or go to jail.

[@robinperronjones5024]

This is a circus, it’s the title companies responsibility, these issues should not be dumped on the general public, typical of the companies shirking their responsibility. Get the authorities to resolve the problem, that’s why we pay insurances and tax

[@vicentee2687]

i live in FL where this kind of stuff and other scams are rampant im glad i have a va loan they actually check to verify and check again

[@paddlethewaterstx]

Easy solution is to always maintain a mortgage on your property. Even if it's a small balance, title cannot be conveyed until lender is paid off and at which time documents have to be notorized and verified.

[@VonBluesman]

That’s why you hire a realestate attorney.

[@finn3408]

GOVERNOR ABBOTT. PLEASE MAKE LAWS TO STOP THIS NOW.

[@Trump_voters_love_Treason]

The all caps should get his attention

[@dd_ranchtexas4501]

@finn3408 The Lege makes the laws, not the Gov..... [The caps lock key is on the left of your keyboard.]

[@BruceWayne-z9x]

Just call the beekeeper 🐝

[@joltjolt5060]

Title companies ARE liable.

[@ecduzitgood]

The banks should have to eat the loss.

[@weaksause6878]

The bank got scammed not Joe Grasso

[@niteshades_promise]

​@weaksause6878 stop spamming this comment! 🍻

[@sexyplexie]

food for thought, what if there is no bank involved? not all land owners have a mortgage, buyer nor seller. trying to make it the banks problem doesn't do any good for anyone. if you want to penalize a third party because you hate the third party, penalize the title company that facilitated the sale (as required by law.)

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

How about a fingerprint on the title is that too much to ask. Wherever the new buyer is put a fingerprint.

[@sexyplexie]

you can forge a fingerprint if you can pull the same fingerprint from county records where the deed/title is filed. this is not a perfect solution, it will just make it harder to pull off.

[@SSpees]

New laws should be passed to pause any online sales and make an in person validation of title and $$.

[@GardensoftheAncientsHerbal]

Snap I was looking at that lot….

[@abcdefghi9]

A blockchain system of recording land transactions would prevent frauds like this.

[@rogerbec5766]

One of these days someone is going to get hurt real bad likely assuming room temperature. Title pirates should be sent to prison for their own safety.

[@SeanWork]

Geee a teeny bit of regulation / extra required steps would solve this problem in a jiffy.

[@marysmith9954]

Some counties allow you to register so if anybody tries to steal your title you will know what’s going on and be alerted

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Do notaries require thumb prints? Track the culprits.

[@8genmilitaryfamusa671]

Texas is really going downhill....everywhere.

[@boblynch2802]

Uh... What is going on with the Title Company? Title Insurance?

[@davidwaynereyes]

Yeah the same thing happened in 1835 and after.

[@Beverly-b8r]

WHO CAN YOU CALL? THE CRIME FAMILIES WONT BE THERE FOR US AMERICANS!

[@steeldriver1776]

Blue problems following blue voters to the new blue wasteland: Austin.

[@farmfreshideas579]

When everything can be done online You’re bound to get fraudulent activity. The easy remedy around this is to legislate a state law stating the seller has to be present at a closing, title office, with two forms of identification and a fingerprint or have an attorney present. Furthermore, Attorney needs to sign an affidavit verifying the seller, if not the seller, he’s liable and a co-conspirator for the fraudulent sell. It’s a shame, but fraud is heavy.

[@jamiedevereaux261]

Why are we talking about this? We have laws use them!!!

[@PilotVBall]

This entire country is a mess! Blame rests with the incompetent delinquents at the county. There's absolutely no excuse why this is happening. The county is to blame.

[@theaveragegamerno1589]

Wait... so some saying they "Joe" can get a copy of Joes land title. But with the original to show no sale in possesion of the owner shouldnt it be a clear case of fraud? Like the buyer would be the one out of money not the land owner being put out right?

[@Liberalcali]

60 billion to Ukraine but we can’t stop this

[@theyreoutthere.huntinggear]

With how much they are tracking everyone , they should know scammers , or they just charge scammers a cut and let them conduct business as usual. The city officials know who and where the scammers are. They should

[@loriar1027]

This story would have been a lot more helpful if they'd tell us how to prevent it or what to do if it happens.

[@cobaltbroker]

I hope the realtor and the owner played this fraud all the way to the closing table with the sherif's arrival to arrest the perpetrator.

[@TheCameron230]

This has been going on for years and years, has been a big problem for florida, mostly rentals tho

[@nedoscarsandfishingvideos5500]

Tittle company needs to do there job

[@kitbiggz6135]

Why show thieves a new crime

[@donaldsherman660]

here they ask for a g a utility bill

[@jamesrominger3850]

Yeah I live in Florida. Our governor already solved this problem.

[@vector150]

Okay it shouldn't happen at all. It shouldn't be that easy government's the one at the fault cuz they're feeling the citizens

[@ronnieallen6986]

Where I live can't happen so easily have to go to the probate title office in person to sign and they need a lots of information and other people to sign it was a long process for me to get my dad's home in my name and my brother's name after my dad passed away I live in Phenix City,AL in Lee county They are very strict on this

[@Uncletoast52]

Title Co. are getting sloppy.

[@philbuell6657]

They used to call them carpetbaggers

[@DistrustHumanz]

Native Americans used to call them white people.

[@americanadreaming]

I've never heard Trump called a carpet bagger before, that's new. Convicted r****t, felon, insurrection leader, and now a carpet bagger. Perfect.

[@gghhhgghhh3037]

​@@HappyTraditionalWifecared enough to be here responding....

[@jamisonmunn9215]

There are all these comments and no one talking about the real issue. The justice system has failed normal hard working Americans. Give a bunch of people 20 years and see how fast these scams stop.

[@cleancutszl]

Ok help this make sense you can sell someone's property without them knowing and not go to jail but if you buy stolen items from someone you go to jail

[@theunnaturalformula]

Yes!!! Finally someone brought it on to the news. Hey channel 7! I knew it was a scam because I kept getting them for like 6 months and eventually I gave them an account number and we need some kind of bargain and I got 25K from the scammer lol I've been getting calls non-stop I had to change my number hahaha

[@davidruiz2474]

What about veterans like myself who don't pay property tax here in Texas...can or has this happened?

[@silentmajority8365]

Technology and diversity enjoy

[@noid8814]

This was texas where it happened.

[@noid8814]

​​@@silentmajority8365Funny you would say diversity. I would wage every dollar.I have you're not native american. You should never have dropped out of high school.

[@davidruiz2474]

@@noid8814 I'm aware, that's why I replied

[@nikosolikos]

Yes, you’re the easiest type of target.

[@weaksause6878]

If i offered to sell The White House to some crackhead for $20, would that crackhead now be the rightful owner of The White House? But if i was a bank and did the same thing...

[@sexyplexie]

no it's fraud and gets reversed, but the guy that gave you $20 is now out $20. but you're a criminal and nobody knows who you are, so it doesn't matter. you made $20.

[@umeng2002]

Arrrrrrrrrr

[@jeffl8915]

Texas is a crazy place to be in.... Especially for all the talk Texans do about how great the state is.

[@timshannon6363]

Then I wish people would stop coming here by the thousands every month since it's so terrible

[@dd_ranchtexas4501]

@@timshannon6363 Amen.....

[@nikosolikos]

Can you teach me how to do this 7 on your side?

[@Omar_Zazzle]

Move to North Korea and you will get educated.

[@pillarcloud8266]

Hotdog

[@slappy8941]

Isn't diversity wonderful?

[@polloqpolloq]

dot haid deepak call center mayhem

[@ttrevino167]

It's mostly India or Nigeria scams

[@HappyTraditionalWife]

You got to ❤ diversity 😂

[@FluffberryMcstuffins]

Exactly. These laws also helped that convicted felon (that s**ts in a diaper regularly) Trump and his criminal compatriots with all their fraud.

[@Fattycatpawz]

POOR WEALTHY LAND OWNERS ... SNIFF

[@paulbounleuth8901]

📖📜👹💭

[@habibifather7681]

First baby!!!

[@JohnWickkkk]

I don’t care 🤷‍♂️

[@andrewanderson5948]

@@JohnWickkkk They dont have any real wins in life so let them atleast have this

[@Omar_Zazzle]

Your mommy must be so proud of you. 🍭🎠

[@Jasonronsteinberger]

i have no sympathy for those that have everything

[@marknicolich5789]

"If you want something you've never had, be ready to do something you have never done." - Thomas Jefferson. Get out there and earn something don't hate the player or the game hate that you ain't winning

[@sexyplexie]

ignorant, not all land owners are wealthy, some are broke as shit living in mobile homes and dilapidated campers in the hopes they can push through retirement with some semblance of peace and self-sufficiency. meanwhile know-nothing-know-it-alls on the internet is wishing land owners ill will like they are making 100k+ a year like most of the know-nothing-know-it-alls on the internet having ignorant opinions about other people.

[@AtomicStewMusic]

Good thing the Governor is working on this… Oh right, it’s just Christofacism on the Texas GOP’s agenda.