A recent news article* placed identity theft as the fastest growing type of fraud in Australia with an 80% year on year increase. Worryingly, cases of identity theft have even been moved into the property market! It certainly begs the question..
Can you protect your property against identity fraud?
Identity theft has the potential to be devastating and financially crippling, however it is not new to our shores. Below we share some alarming Australian examples:
(Not) as safe houses
Last year, a Canberra woman was embroiled in the court system in an attempt to claim compensation from the ACT government after her house was sold from under her nose without her knowledge.*
While she was residing overseas the brazen fraudsters impersonated her, forged her signature and instructed a real estate agent to list her house. They engaged a lawyer to manage the conveyance and directed her bank to discharge her mortgage from the title of her property. The sale proceeds were deposited into a bank account traced to Indonesia.
Despite the fraud coming to light shortly after the sale was finalised, it was too late. The innocent purchasers, who had no involvement with the fraud, were now the registered owners of the title to the land. As a result, they became indefeasible to title.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time for such an event. In 2010 Western Australia was the target of choice for fraudsters when a house in Karrinyup was sold without the knowledge of it’s owner.* African based fraudsters successfully impersonated the property’s owner and instructed the property manager to market and sell the home.
In 2011, property owners in Ballajura received a rude shock when they contacted their property manager to arrange an inspection of their investment property.* Their house had been listed and sold by the real estate agency months earlier! Once again, they had fallen victim to the impersonation and fraudulent instructions of fraudsters.
What about compensation?
Unfortunately, for a victim who has fraud committed against title to their home, seeking compensation for the loss is a long, stressful and expensive road.
Although various jurisdictions have provisions within their laws that allow for compensation to be provided by respective state governments, it is often reserved as the option of last resort. This means that for a victim to be able to claim compensation for the loss of their house they must have explored every other recourse available to them – including commencing available proceedings against the fraudsters themselves! As you can imagine, success is not always guaranteed.
The unsuspecting Canberra fraud victim finally had her day in court – more than two years after the fraudulent sale. She no doubt also accumulated huge legal expenses.
What protection is available?
A title insurance policy provide coverage for home owners against a wide range of property risks, including loss and a result of fraud and forgery against your title. If the home owners mentioned in these cases studies had a title insurance policy they would have received comprehensive protection against the loss caused by the fraud.
While the risks may be minimised if you currently reside in the property there is no doubt that modern technology has introduced modern risks. Taking steps to minimise risk is becoming essential for all of us in today’s world.
If you would like more information on title insurance… Contact us today!
1. ‘Mortgage Fraud is on the rise’, Michael Mata, Your Mortgage 22 June 2017
2. ‘Canberra Property Scam Victim Sues Government for Compensation’, Natasha Boddy, The Canberra Times, 22 August 2016
3. ‘Taskforce to probe alleged Nigerian Scam, Natasha Boddy, The West Australian, 11 August 2011
4. ‘Probe into alleged house sale scam’, Gabrielle Knowles and staff reporters, The West Australian, 10 August 2011