HAS Services

The dream of home ownership remains one of the most important goals for many citizens in the UK, Turkey and Pakistan. Owning one's home or business is a source of pride and security, and provides an opportunity for financial growth.

Unfortunately, real estate fraud scams can steal these dreams with a single forged signature or get-rich-quick scheme. This type of crime can have a serious impact on its victims. As a result, the HAS Properties in cooperation with regional District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Units is dedicated to prosecuting fraudulent real estate transactions.

Real Property Crimes

Real property crime can take many forms, but most often involves grand theft, forgery, and a relatively recent scheme, identity theft. Below are samples of the types of cases we investigate and prosecute:

• Fraudulent real estate investment schemes, typically involving the sale of trust deeds
• Use of forged escrow instructions to steal escrow deposits
• Purchasing homes with straw buyers
• Forgery of grant deeds or other recorded documents
• Real Estate Identity Theft. By assuming the identity of the true owner, or claiming to represent the true owner, the thief fraudulently obtains title to a property, then borrows against the property, or sells the property, stealing the equity. The typical target of such a scheme is a property with a large amount of equity, most likely an elderly owner
• Fraudulent schemes involving trusts where owners are told to deed their property to a trust which will make the mortgage payments until the owner recovers financially. However, the reality is that the scammers steal the equity and get loans with even larger payments so the original homeowner never stands a chance to get his or her property back

Protect Yourself from Foreclosure Fraud

HAS Properties recommends that:

• DO NOT sign a quitclaim deed or any other document that transfers the property to another person or trust without first consulting an independent attorney.
• Never sign a contract or other documents under pressure. Seek help, from an attorney, social services agency, legal aid or someone you trust to review any foreclosure-related paperwork. Be especially wary of offers to take over ownership of your home as part of a deal that allows you to rent your home and then buy it back after a few years.
• Never make verbal agreements. Never sign blank pages where information can be added later. Never sign anything you do not understand.
• Avoid doing business with individuals or companies that call themselves mortgage consultants, foreclosure services or similar without thoroughly checking their credentials. Be sure to ask for references from licensing agencies, or check with the Better Business Bureau and trade groups.
• Recommendations from family, friends, coworkers and others you trust are also a good resource. A legitimate mortgage consultant can help find the best loan and help with an unfavorable loan.
• Be aware of promises like "We'll save your credit," "We'll pay the closing costs," "We'll buy your house 'as-is'," or "If you sign the house over to us the foreclosure will be recorded against us," among a host of other come-ons.
• Be extremely cautious of those who contact or advertise to people whose homes are listed for foreclosure, including anyone who sends flyers or solicits door-to-door.

How You Can HAS Properties Help You?

A. Write or type a summary of your complaint and attach the summary to the complaint form. We cannot review your complaint without a complete concise statement of the facts. At a minimum, please include the following information in your statement:

• Tell us what happened in chronological detail and be specific. You should tag as exhibits any supporting documents and refer to those exhibits in your narrative.
• Tell us who you think the person(s) or company that is responsible for the loss, conversion(s) or fraudulent act – and why you conclude that.
• Tell us where (address, city and country) the incident, conversions or act(s) took place. Please include property address(es) involved in the fraudulent transaction(s).
• Tell us when and how you first became aware that you may have been defrauded. If individual(s) or a company is named in your complaint, please list exact dates of contact. If someone else made you aware of the potential crime, please include the person’s name(s), address(es) and telephone number(s).
• Tell how you know the representations were false or how you know money was misused.
• Tell us what your actual financial loss is, if known, and how you arrived at that figure. Do not include lost interest, unrealized profits or missed opportunities.