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Beth A. Botti, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, CDFA™
Financial Consultant
California Insurance License #0G24537
612 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-877-6556 Ext. 169
Fax: 203-301-0736
Email: beth.botti@equitable.com
September/October 2024
The "New" Identity Theft
As if stealing your personal information to access your bank accounts or open credit in your name isn’t enough to worry about, there’s another form of identity theft taking hold. Deed theft is a type of identity theft that targets your residence, second home or other property.
How It Happens
Thieves target a potential property — often a vacation home, second home or vacant property. Criminals forge the owner’s signature on the deed and sell the home to themselves or a third party. They then use personal information found on the Internet to assume your identity or to represent you when they record the deed with the county.They’re Not Moving In
Once thieves have the deed to your property, they can:- Sell your home and keep the profit
- Refinance the mortgage to cash out equity
- Open a home equity line of credit
- Illegally rent out unoccupied property
Protect Yourself
You can take steps to protect yourself and your property from deed theft.- Monitor your credit reports for loans you didn’t take out or for other suspicious activity.
- Check for liens against your property from contractors, subcontractors or attorneys.
- Visit vacant homes periodically to make sure no one is living in them.
- Have your mail forwarded, kept at the post office or picked up by someone when you’re away from home.
- Pay close attention to mortgage, tax, water and other home-related bills.
- Check your county recorder’s office or local registry online for land records and property deeds. You may be able to set up notifications at the registry to alert you to changes.
If Something Is Amiss
Notify the register of deeds as well as law enforcement if you find evidence of deed theft or other criminal activity. Obtain a certified copy of the fraudulent document and consult an attorney.GE-6734756.1(7/24)(Exp.7/26)
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Duly registered and licensed financial professionals offer securities through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA,SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN), offer investment advisory products and services through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor, and offer annuity and insurance products through Equitable Network, LLC (Equitable Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC in UT; Equitable Network of Puerto Rico, Inc.). Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V. Equitable Advisors and its associates and affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice or services. Representatives may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed. Your connection to this website does not necessarily indicate that the sender is able to transact business in your state. The information in this website is not investment or securities advice and does not constitute an offer. For more information about Equitable Advisors, LLC you may visit https://equitable.com/crs to review the firm's Relationship Summary for Retail Investors and General Conflicts of Interest Disclosure.
GE-6572038.1 (4/24)(Exp. 4/26)
CFP®, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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