The FBI is warning Minnesota residents about a new scam called “house stealing.” This scam combines identity theft and mortgage fraud to claim ownership of your home. The scammer picks out a house to steal. They steal your identity by obtaining your name and personal information from the Internet. They use your information to create fake IDs, social security cards, etc.

With this information in hand, they simply go to an office supply store and purchase forms that transfer property. They forge your signature and use the fake IDs to file deeds with the proper authorities. The house they pick is now theirs.

These scammers look for a vacant house, a vacation home or rental property and do a bit of research to find out who owns it. Once again, they steal the owner’s identity, forge papers and then put the house up for sale and pocket the money without the owner even knowing about it. These criminals are so bold that they even have stolen houses that people currently occupy.

What you can do to make sure that your house isn’t stolen is to be aware of your mortgage information. Make sure that your name is on any mail from a mortgage company, if not follow up with the company. Also from time to time, check with your county’s deeds office to make sure that they have your information recorded.