A 90-year-old man is facing eviction from his Brooklyn home after unwittingly falling victim to a deed fraud 18 years ago

A 90-year-old New Yorker is facing eviction from his Brooklyn home of more than 50 years, saying he was the victim of deed fraud 18 years ago.

Ray Cortez’s plan to spend the rest of his life in the Park Slope brownstone where he raised his three children is in jeopardy after he allegedly committed fraud in transferring the deed to his home.

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The story begins in 2006, when Cortez, then 72, was looking for money to renovate his home and was persuaded to sign over the title to his house to another man. At the time, he thought the transaction was legal and he would get the title back – but those papers were never filed with the city.

He says a line of credit for nearly $700,000 was taken out on the house – and when that HELOC wasn’t paid back, the bank sold Cortez’s house in foreclosure for $2 million. Now he’s fighting in housing court to save and keep his home.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Cortez’s son Ray Jr. told Eyewitness News ABC7NY. “It’s been too long for him to have to carry this with him. It was devastating.”

A common type of real estate fraud

Cortez bought the family home for $20,000 in 1969. In the five decades since, it has been surrounded by multimillion-dollar condos, restaurants, bars and the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.

According to Eyewitness News, the old house is now valued at nearly $3 million, but Cortez’s name is not on the deed.

“It’s a farce,” Tom Harriman, who also called Cortez “the perfect neighbor,” told Eyewitness News. “All of us on this street are just appalled.”

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According to Cortez’s attorney, Bill Lienhard, real estate scams are unfortunately not uncommon in up-and-coming neighborhoods.

“If you go to certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn that are predominantly populated by people of color, from Prospect Heights to East New York and then to southeast Queens, everyone on every block knows someone who has been a victim of deed theft or real estate fraud,” he told Eyewitness News.

The story continues

The local broadcaster reported that the eviction was suspended until September 9 and that the Attorney General’s Office was investigating the case.

Protect yourself against document fraud

Document fraud – also known as land registry fraud, title theft or house theft – occurs when thieves steal the title of a house.

This type of fraud typically begins with identity theft, where criminals forge a deed transferring ownership of a property. In other cases, scammers might trick a homeowner into transferring ownership, often with the promise of financial assistance.

Once ownership of the property has been transferred, the land registry holder may seek to occupy the premises themselves, sell or rent it, or borrow money as security for the property.

There are ways to protect yourself and your home from deed fraud. For example, you should keep a close eye on incoming bills – such as mortgage bills, tax bills, utility bills, etc. – to make sure they are still coming in and all information is correct. You can also check the status of your title deed at the local land registry office.

Perhaps most importantly, you can monitor your credit reports for signs of identity theft. Watch for unknown accounts or debt balances that are higher than expected, as these could be warning signs that someone is moving money in your name. Finally, you can purchase title insurance when you buy a home or refinance. This type of coverage can protect you from identity fraud or forgery.

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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.