Saturday, December 29, 2007

Texas AG Files Civil Suit To Void Deed Stolen From 85-Year Old Homeowner

This is an old story (August, 2005) coming from the office of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott in which it filed suit to void a deed the execution of which was allegedly secured by a foreclosure rescue operator from an 85-year old homeowner through deception. According to the Texas AG's press release:
  • The action cites Bobbie Heckard with fraudulently taking possession of the home of an 85-year-old Houston man under the guise of helping the homeowner prevent foreclosure. The man allegedly was led to believe he was only allowing Heckard to consult with his mortgage company, but in fact the transaction allowed her to take ownership of his home.

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  • Heckard’s scheme is designed to induce homeowners into transactions they would never consider if they knew the consequences. Heckard obtains a list of homes facing foreclosure, then tries to convince the homeowners that she offers foreclosure rescue services and will correspond with mortgage companies to resolve the problems. She then persuades homeowners to sign forms allegedly authorizing her to contact the mortgage companies on their behalf. In fact, the forms the homeowners sign are deeds transferring ownership in the homes to Heckard. Once Heckard obtains title to the property, she sells it, pockets the equity and threatens to evict the original homeowner.

For more, see:

  1. Texas AG press release - Attorney General Abbott Files Emergency Action Halting Bogus Foreclosure Rescue Operation (Asset freeze and restraining order granted by judge severely restricts activities of pair scamming homeowners) (Go here for Spanish version of the press release),
  2. Texas AG original lawsuit,
  3. Temporary Restraining Order issued in this case.

Go here , go here , and go here for other posts on elder financial abuse.

Go here for other deed theft posts. deed theft zorro elder financial abuse xero