Most people worry about their bike or car being stolen — not their home.
But that’s exactly what happened to D’Andrea Turner when squatters took over her Phoenix home and sold it without her knowledge.
“It feels so surreal,” Turner shared in an interview with ABC 15 Arizona. “I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. Really, I didn’t even think something like this could happen.”
But it did. After Turner’s ex-husband, Keith — a long-haul trucker — left the house unattended for a period of time, two strangers, Aaron Polmanteer and Lledera Hollen, forced their way in.
Once inside, they found personal documents belonging to the Turners, forged new ones, and assumed their identities.
“Squatters stole my house,” Turner said, still in disbelief. “They actually moved in, posed as me, and sold my house.”
With fraudulent paperwork in hand, Polmanteer and Hollen successfully listed and sold the home to real estate investors for $200,000 — all without the Turners knowing.
They might have gotten away with it too, but they ran into trouble when they tried to cash checks written out in the Turners’ names.
Polmanteer and Hollen now await trial, and Turner’s home is back in the right hands. But the story highlights a growing trend of criminals selling property without the homeowners knowing about it. Here’s how to guard yourself against this disturbing crime.
What is title fraud?
Your keys give you physical access to your home, but your title secures your legal right to it. That right is recorded on a deed, the legal document that proves who holds ownership.
In a legitimate real estate transaction, the title transfer is carefully overseen by a real estate agent, title company, and notary to ensure everything is properly documented.
But fraudsters know how to manipulate the system, sometimes slipping through these safeguards undetected.
Just ask Turner. By forging documents and impersonating her and her ex-husband, Polmanteer and Hollen were able to fool a title company and notary.
By the time Turner realized what had happened, the property had already changed hands on paper.
When Turner saw the forged documents, she was stunned. “That is not my name, and that’s not my signature,” she said in an interview with ABC 15 Arizona. “How does this happen? At what point did someone not do their job?”
How to protect your property from title fraud
Title fraud is on the rise and can happen to anyone, but properties that are vacant or mortgage-free are at the greatest risk.
Without proactive safeguards, homeowners may not discover their title has been stolen until long after its changed hands.
Monitor your property
Monitoring your property is essential to combat title theft. Many counties, including Maricopa County where Turner’s home is located, offer free notifications whenever a document is recorded in your name.
This means if someone fraudulently files a deed transfer on your property, you’ll be notified immediately, giving you a chance to notify authorities.
Another way to catch fraud before it happens is to set up a simple Google alert for your address.
Bad actors sometimes list stolen properties for sale before homeowners even realize something is wrong. A Google alert will notify you any time your address is mentioned on the web.
Work with a trusted title company
A title company’s job is to ensure a property changes hands from seller to buyer without hidden issues like fraud.
As part of this process, they conduct thorough research into the property’s history, checking for outstanding mortgages, liens, judgments, or unpaid taxes that could affect ownership.
Once they confirm a title is clear, the company compiles a title report and issues title insurance, which protects buyers from financial or legal trouble if hidden claims or fraud surface down the road—like in the Turners’ case.
While fraud isn’t always preventable, title insurance can serve as a financial safety net, ensuring that homeowners and buyers aren’t left paying for someone else’s deception.
Protect your home and personal information
The fraudsters who stole the Turners’ home were able to do so after accessing personal documents that helped them forge ownership records.
Whether your home is occupied or vacant, taking simple precautions can help prevent this type of theft:
- Keep deeds, mortgage paperwork, and personal identification in a locked safe or another secure location like a safety deposit box.
- If you own a second home, are moving, or will be away for extended periods, don’t leave tax forms, bills, or personal documents behind.
- Use a locked mailbox or a P.O. box to prevent mail theft—a common method used in identity fraud.
What to do if you suspect title fraud
If you think someone has tampered with your home’s title, act fast. The sooner you catch fraudulent activity, the better your chances are of reclaiming ownership.
- Check your property records: Visit your county recorder’s office (online or in person) to review the most recent deed. If you spot any unauthorized changes, report it immediately and request a copy of the fraudulent document.
- File a police report: Title fraud is a serious crime. Contact local law enforcement and, if needed, specialized fraud investigation units. If identity theft or interstate transactions are involved, you may also need to alert your state attorney general or the FBI.
- Consult a real estate attorney: An attorney who specializes in property disputes and fraud can help you navigate the legal process of reclaiming your title, filing the necessary paperwork, and potentially taking civil action against those responsible.
- Notify the title company: If a title company was involved in the fraudulent transaction, let them know immediately. Many agencies have fraud departments that may be able to help reverse the illegal transfer.
By acting quickly and leveraging the right legal and investigative resources, you can work toward reclaiming your property.
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