Mistake By Auction Firm In Identifying Foreclosed Home Results In Break-In; Authorities Refuse To Prosecute

In Mansfield, Ohio, the Mansfield News Journal reports:

• Carolyn Holland is not behind on her mortgage payments, nor is she facing foreclosure. But last September, her Lucas property was listed, with accompanying photos, on an auction Web site as a foreclosed home. In a case of mistaken identity, Holland's pottery shop at 24 N. Union St. was taken for the property actually in foreclosure, at 24 S. Union St. She said the mistake was avoidable and could have put someone's life in jeopardy.

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• One day an interested buyer told her husband, Larry, the property had been foreclosed on, which surprised Carolyn. Days later, Holland went to her business and noticed the back door had been forced open. A new door knob and lock box had been attached to the door. She could tell the property had been altered because all the cabinets, doors and closets were open.

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• Holland called the sheriff's department and filed a criminal complaint for breaking and entering and informed them of the foreclosure. [...] She was told by the Richland County prosecutor's office the matter is civil, not criminal so pressing charges is out of the question.

For more, see Foreclosure: Auction company mistake causing homeowner woes.

Go here and go here for other posts on foreclosure screw ups involving improperly changed locks, removal of belongings, etc. ScrewUpsLockOutsInForeclosure