In an effort to clamp down on property theft, the Philadelphia Department of Records has launched a new computer system designed to prevent deed fraud, a scam that has seen a distressing uptick in recent years.
For those unfamiliar with the scheme, deed fraud involves the creation of counterfeit documents to impersonate the true owner of a property—often targeting those who have recently died—enabling criminals to illicitly sell or borrow against the property and leaving families to untangle the mess in costly court disputes, which can be a nightmare for the families who suddenly find themselves victim to these scams according to a press release by the City of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's new defensive measure works by verifying the signatory's vital status at the time of the deed transfer, refusing to record any documents signed by someone who is deceased, the Department of Records stated, this check is integrated seamlessly without disruption to the majority of routine real estate transactions.
While no system is completely flawless, the city reassures individuals that errors can be rectified upon presentation of evidence affirming the person in question was alive and well when signing the deed, "If our system shows the person had already passed away, we won't record the deed," announced the City of Philadelphia statement, advocating for this modern approach which aims to come to the aid of bereaved families, elder homeowners, communities frequently hit by deed fraud, and those who cannot readily afford the heavy financial toll of legal wrangling over their rightful properties.
The city also provides an invitation to educate oneself on the topic, directing potential victims and concerned citizens to visit the Department of Records’ website or office for comprehensive guides and strategies to strengthen their defenses against such fraudulent acts.
