Tulsa County is increasing protections for victims of title theft and real estate fraud. It coincides with a new state law that went into effect Nov. 1 increasing penalties for people who commit the crimes.
Title theft is when someone uses a false or forged document to illegally obtain another person’s property, which is also a form of real estate fraud.
New law, new penalties
Under Senate Bill 925, recording falsified property documents is now a felony. Oklahomans convicted of the crime can be sentenced to at least three years in prison and face a fine up to $5,000. In a case of willful and intentional fraud, that prison time increases to 10 years.
The law established a formal process for victims to report fraudulent filings. In Tulsa County, victims who suspect title theft can submit a “Notice of Fraudulent Conveyance” to the County Clerk’s Office. The clerk’s office will then forward the notice to the district attorney’s office for an investigation.
Victims can also get restitution due to monetary and property loss.
Tulsa County Clerk Michael Willis told the Flyer many title fraud cases in Tulsa involve people coercing and targeting elderly victims; going after vacant properties or intimidating others to sign documents against their will. Then, he says, the forged documents are submitted to his office for approval.
SB 952 is the latest effort to fight this type of fraud. Last near, a new law created penalties for notaries who fail to verify individuals submitting fraudulent title theft documents.
Willis says the problem continues to be an issue. The focus now is making it known that there are harsher punishments. It will no longer be treated like a victim-less crime.
“We will be working with the DA office, sheriff’s office and police departments to try to actually start putting some teeth and law enforcement into some of these crimes that have been committed over the years by scammers and abusers,” said Willis.
If you own property in Tulsa County and are concerned about potential fraud, visit countyclerk.tulsacounty.org and register for a record radar. You will receive a notification if documents for your property are submitted.
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