Hey they even tried it with Graceland! 

I have so many things to say about this. There are so many issues on so many levels. If I were to say what I think and feel, this would turn so flipping POLITICAL and I might get kicked off the AR Island. 

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

We hope his ordeal changes some laws. If he was not living in the house, he should have rented it or check on it periodically.

2020's:   The Decade of the Scam.  Sadly, I trust NO strangers.  Until proven otherwise.  

Criminals are up to new tricks, that's for sure.  Well, ok, not that new.  This was done in the 80s, just watch "Pain and Gain" those mental giants did it then.

We are an attorney state so I can't say what percentage of things this happens with. Truly a shocking story but they always try to get away with it.

I knew a guy who filed false satisfaction of debt. In other words, paid in full. When the system to verify finally kicked in, it was discovered as a hoax. In this case, it was a foreclosure thus the foreclosure system activated to the Trustee sale stage. This fraud bought time. This guy ended up staying in a foreclosed house for 2-3 years until he decided to move out

Very strange. Sometimes I am glad that in CT all real estate transactions are handled by attorneys. At least they might have some kind of accountability. 

Lots of scammers out there, hopefully the law enforcement agencies will keep locking them up.

There are scams and fraud attempts for every situation.

I am not a big reader of the Post but saying that and reading the article. There is lots to be explained.  

I have grant deed alert with my County Clerks, anything files or changes on my deed, I'm alerted immediately. 

What a crazy story. "I thought the house was abandoned" so I claimed it. Really stupid. Seems like a criminal act to me.

In order not to have this question removed from Q&A, I will agree with the approach of Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist and move on.  

NC & SC both need better authentication measures with regards to changes on any and all Deeds.

My suggestion would be a simple one that could take a little time to put into action: NO ONE can change ownership on a Deed without going through an attorney's office who has been strictly vetted to provide electronic filings directly from their offices ONLY to the Register of Deeds.  No lone changes to Title would be permitted without going through one of these offices. That will take the burden off of the government where it takes an extremely long time (and copious amounts of money) to remedy these incidents and put it squarely on the attorney offices and their E&O insurance. 

SURE, attorney Closing fees will be higher but, it's like Title insurance, worth every penny!

OR, until the fraud prevention measures above can be put in place, EVERYONE should purchase an enhanced Title insurance policy. Again, it will cost a little more but, WELL WORTH the additional cost for the peace of mind.