We are encouraging individuals to set up a property alert in order to warn them in the event of someone trying to alter key details of their property online.
Scammers can transfer your property into their name by using false documents or stolen identities. In some cases, they even transfer the property whilst you are living there. The scammers can also raise mortgages against your property or sell your property without your knowledge.
The victims are usually individuals with homes that are:
- mortgage free
- empty
- not registered on the Land Registry or when the property has not changed since 1998
- where the owner lives elsewhere
- buy-to-let
In general, there are properties where owners are less likely to notice that fraudulent documents have been submitted.
Safeguards
- Register your property on the Land Registry if it’s not already registered
- Sign up for free Land Registry Property Alert service for up to 10 properties.
- Place a restriction on your property title. This will stop the Land Registry registering any sale or mortgage on your property unless a conveyancer or solicitor certifies that the application was made by you. The restriction:
- costs £40 if you live at the property
- is free if you don’t live at the property but own it privately
- is free if a company owns the property