VIDEO: Register of Deeds Curtis Hertel, Jr., warns about foreclosure fraud and other scams

The foreclosures that triggered the economic meltdown of 2008 continue to wreak havoc on the real estate market across the nation and in our state. Ingham County Reigster of Deeds Curtis Hertel, Jr., notes that Michigan still ranks third among states hit hardest by mortgage fraud.

In his hard-hitting townhall presentation at the Great Lansing African American Family Institute, Hertel balanced his analysis of the problem at the macro level with advice for individuals at risk, whether they are the homeowners threatened with foreclosure or renters who find themselves in the crossfire through no fault of their own.

In the first video below, Hertel explains how the crisis affects all of us. Foreclosures lower the value of everyone’s homes, and those lower values translate into lower tax revenues for government services such as police, fire and education. He also provides examples of the level of pervasive fraud in the industry, from the robosigning of phony documents to deceiving homeowners about their rights under the law. Hertel notes that crimes for which you and I would go to jail have been repeatedly perpetrated by lenders who have never been brought to justice.

In the second and third videos, Hertel discusses what his office is doing to help you avoid becoming a victim of property fraud. Many frauds involve charging people threatened with foreclosure high fees for dubious advice. Hertel is joined by Stephen Dilbert of MFI-Miami, and both men share horror stories of people who did not know their rights or were too frightened or embarrassed to exercise them.

The presentation also warns against the barrage of scam artists trying to trick you out of your money. A small-time but common fraud involves companies that frighten you into thinking it will be difficult to obtain a copy of your deed, so they offer to do it quickly for $50 or more. In truth, Hertel’s office can typically provide you a copy of your deed within a day or two for less than $2.

HOMEOWNER FRAUD ALERT: Federal, state and local laws are simply not keeping pace with new scams. A new and frightening danger is posed by companies that file documents to obtain control of your property without anyone knowing this has happened. Loopholes in Michigan law allow such documents to be filed without any requirement to notify the homeowner or even the Register of Deeds.

To help Ingham County residents, Hertel’s has signed up for a FREE service for county residents. CLICK HERE: Property Fraud Alert. Use the dropdown menu to search for Ingham County, MI (Michigan listings are after those for Indiana). Then simply provide your personal and/or business name and an email address. The service will monitor to see if documents are filed in your name and alert you using that email address. It takes about two minutes to sign up, but it could save you years of grief.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, call the hotline at 517-676-7210. This link takes you to the Register of Deeds home page that includes links to information and services.

The Scribd presentation below contains the PowerPoint slides Hertel used in his presentation, provided in their entirety.