The Gwinnett County Police Department is warning residents of a new form of real estate fraud.
The department posted on the Gwinnett County Government website that some suspects are now forging signatures, using false identifications, and faking notary stamps to obtain forged property titles and filing for quit claim deeds without the consent of property owners.
A quit claim deed is used to legally transfer ownership between two individuals, usually when there is no money being exchanged. They offer no warranty that the seller owns or has any rights to the property.
Once a suspect obtains the quit claim deed to a property, they will usually try to sell the property to an unsuspecting victim, or attempt to extort the true property owner for money.
This type of fraud typically occurs with vacant parcels and properties without homes on them, but also occasionally happens with rental properties.
GCPD advised that property buyers can protect themselves by having a title search of the property performed. Buyers can also look into getting a Title Insurance policy when making a purchase.
The department also noted that buyers should be suspicious if there was a recent quit claim deed done shortly before the sale of the property.
Property owners can enroll in the Fraud Alert Notification System to opt in to receive notification whenever a deed, mortgage, or a lien is filed on a property parcel. More information can be found through the Gwinnett County Superior Court Clerk’s office.
If you have been the victim of real estate deed fraud, contact the Gwinnett County Police 770-513-5700 to file a fraud report.
