Title disputes are often the result of miscommunication or interpersonal conflicts. For example, perhaps a personal representative administering an estate sold the home of the deceased party without first communicating with the heirs of the prior homeowner. Maybe one spouse retained the home after a divorce but failed to adhere to the property division decree imposed by the family courts.
In such scenarios, those who bought the home might be at risk of a title claim against the property. Occasionally, the basis for a title claim might be a fraudulent transaction. Property owners may need to defend their interest in real estate against someone who has fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme.
Real estate fraud is on the rise
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have made real estate fraud far more convincing. AI deepfake videos involving voice alterations and video filters can fool notaries and real estate professionals. Individuals may pose as property owners by using images they located online.
They may ask to conduct a remote closing through video conferencing technology. They may then use AI deepfake technology to impersonate an owner or a random stranger. The person who appears on camera during a document signing may not exist at all.
These fraudulent transactions result in people transferring tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for a property that the fraudulent seller does not own. Those buyers may then try to hold the actual owners accountable by pursuing a title claim. Civil proceedings related to title disputes can quickly become very complex.
Property owners may need help establishing that they have not sold a property and that they, therefore, retain their interests in it. Consulting with an attorney after learning about a potential title dispute can help real property owners protect what may be the biggest single investment that they ever make.
