Tennessee swindlers forged docs to steal homes for $10 before selling for massive profit

New York Post ^ | April 20, 2025, | Nicholas McEntyre

[george76]

Tennessee swindlers forged the signatures of unsuspecting homeowners on deeds to transfer the property ownership for a measly $10 in a quit-claim scheme.

Stuart Breakstone and his accomplice, Rebecca Tuttle, allegedly played out their ruse on at least two separate residences in Memphis, Tenn., between 2010 and 2025, property records viewed by The Post show.

The duo is accused of faking signatures of the homeowners, buyers and at least one notary on quit-claim forms to transfer the ownership of the properties for $10

...

The sleazy scheme was only discovered after a homeowner reported to police that she was no longer listed on her house’s property listing.

Stuart Breakstone allegedly used a stolen driver’s license and a Social Security card to set up a bank account where he would deposit the money made off the sale of the property.

Breakstone was arrested and booked into Shelby County Jail on April 16.

He was charged with theft of property greater than $250,000, forgery, identity theft, and unlawfully drawing a property transfer document without an interest in the property.

He is being held on a $110,250 and is scheduled to appear in court on April 21,

[JZelle]

Ain’t that America, for you and me?

[Mark]

Close friend or relative of Laticia James.

[doc maverick]

“ The sleazy scheme was only discovered after a homeowner reported to police that she was no longer listed on her house’s property listing”
What a shock! Thankfully, she reported it to police and police did something about it.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Shelby County, TN is a hotspot for quit claim fraud with over 400 cases! The Shelby County Register’s automation reduced deed filing time from 3–6 weeks to ~36 hours, with digital copies available online. While efficient, this speeds up fraudulent filings, as scammers can exploit public records accessed via the Register’s website. 36 hours barely gives you enough time to look at the alert and take action. Here are some ideas from Grok on protecting yourself against quit claim fraud:

• Monitor Property Records Regularly: Check deed and title records at your county recorder's office (often online, e.g., ACRIS in NY) annually, or more for vacant properties. If you spot unfamiliar deeds or liens, contact the recorder and law enforcement.
• Enroll in Fraud Alert Notification Systems: Sign up for free county services (e.g., Shelby County, TN; Montgomery County, OH's FANS) to get email or letter alerts when documents are filed. Designate a trusted contact for notifications.
• Purchase Title Insurance: Get title insurance covering impersonation or forgery (e.g., ALTA Homeowner's Policy) when buying via quitclaim deed. Verify provider legitimacy to avoid phishing scams.
• Secure Personal Information: Protect Social Security numbers and other details. Avoid sharing sensitive data via email/phone and shred personal documents.
• Monitor Credit Reports and Bills: Check credit reports weekly via AnnualCreditReport.com for unauthorized activity. Watch for changes in utility, tax, or water bills, especially for vacant properties. This is the first I've heard that AnnualCreditReport.com will provide free WEEKLY credit reports from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at no cost. Grok says that this program was introduced in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to help consumers monitor their credit amid financial uncertainty. It was made permanent in September 2023 by the three bureaus.
• Physically Inspect Properties: Visit or have trusted contacts check vacant properties for squatters or unauthorized activity. Ask neighbors to report suspicious behavior.
• Verify Notaries and Documents: Ensure notaries are legitimate via state registries (e.g., Ohio Secretary of State). Never sign blank documents or under pressure; consult an attorney.
• Avoid Risky Transactions: Don't transfer property to mortgage assistance or "foreclosure savior" companies, common scam targets. Be cautious with quitclaim deeds in non-family deals.
• Update Contact Information: Keep your county recorder, appraiser, and Department of Finance updated with your mailing address for tax bills and deed notices.
• Act Quickly if Fraud is Suspected: Report to law enforcement, the county recorder, and FBI's IC3 (www.ic3.gov). Get a certified copy of the fraudulent deed, hire an attorney to nullify it, and contact your title company/lender.

More info

• Vulnerabilities: Quitclaim deeds are fraud-prone due to no title search, no warranty, and easy filing. Scammers forge signatures or use complicit notaries, targeting vacant properties, seniors, or estates.
• Systemic Issues: County recorders lack resources to verify signatures, enabling fraud (e.g., 400+ cases in Shelby County, TN). Oversight of notaries and filing processes is minimal.
• Emerging Solutions: Free county alert systems (e.g., Pinellas County, FL) are effective but underused (19,000 of 250,000 owners in Shelby County). Blockchain pilots (e.g., Cook County, IL) aim to flag fraud but aren't widespread.
• Skepticism of Paid Services: Commercial title protection services (e.g., Home Title Lock) charge for monitoring available free from counties, often redundant.
• Legal Challenges: Proving fraud requires costly, slow court action to prove forgery or coercion, complicated by fading memories or missing evidence.
• Establishment Narrative: Authorities highlight rising fraud ($61.5M losses in New England, 2019–2023) but downplay fixes like mandatory ID checks or notary oversight, facing bureaucratic resistance.

The Owner’s Title Insurance you purchased when you bought your home remains in effect for as long as you or your heirs own the property, without renewal or additional premiums. The policy’s coverage continues even if you refinance, transfer the property to a trust, or pass it to heirs via inheritance, as long as ownership stays within the family. Coverage ends only when you sell the property to an unrelated party, as the policy is tied to your ownership.

So you want to combine current fraud alerts with your existing title insurance.

I'm not a lawyer. Always consult your own real estate attorney.

[Macho MAGA Man]

Didn’t some lady a while back try to do this and swindle Graceland from the granddaughter of Elvis?

[wally_bert]

Tennessee Swindlers sounds like the name of a band or country song.

[Revel]

First congress needs to pass a federal law requiring the immediate reversal of any such occurrences. Secondly local governments must be responsible for compensating any individual that was harmed by these actions. Full compensation for any legitimate owners or buyers. If the government has insecure procedures that allows for this to happen then the damages need to fall squarely on them. They do not get a pass.

[cpdiii]

Perhaps an accountant or property lawyer can help me with a question. If a mortgage thief uses false papers to steal my property and sell it why am I at risk? The fraud was committed on the bank or person that bought the forged deed, not me.

ps
20 years ago I had credit card fraud to the amount of 25000 dollars about 50000 dollars in today’s money. To their credit Master Card made it all good quickly. Apparently I had a hell of a vacation in Bordeaux, France at very expensive places. 25,000 dollars in less than an hour while at home in Texas.

I pressed Master Card for information of where the fraud started here in Texas. They would not help me and wisely so as I was very angry. I think it happened at Walgreens. I had picked up a prescription and used my card. One hour later my card was declined at Walmart do to being over drawn limits. I then paid with another card.

Did the Walgreens employee do the deed? I do not know? It could have been done electronically anywhere on the electronic data trail from Walgreens to Master Card.

[Organic Panic]

Some guys I went to high school did that. They served 7 years in prison for it.

[Revel]

The entire system has been weakened. No signatures for credit card purchases. Electronic signatures that turn into scribble.
And apparently mail order home titles.

[21twelve]

Today in Seattle they would be allowed to stay in the house while things are being worked out, and provided with monthly payments to help with their costs.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13264211/squatter-Seattle-eviction-taxpayer-cash.html

[Mean Daddy]

Not many people know about it but go to www.propertyfraud.com and check to see if your county uses it. It’s intended to protect such property practices.

[Mean Daddy]

Add this to your list:

Not many people know about it but go to www.propertyfraud.com and check to see if your county uses it. It’s intended to protect such property practices.

[wardaddy]

They were foreigners

Africa I think

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Looks like PropertyFraud is out of business. The domain name is for sale.

That’s too bad...I was looking forward to checking out our county. I’ll give them a call.

[Tunehead54]

Boy - you are mean, Daddy!

www.propertyfraud.com - available web name at godaddy for $18,000.

OTH: www.propertyfraudalert.com seems to be the site.

Nothing guaranteed - no warranties here .. ;-)

[Mean Daddy]

Sorry. www.propertyfraudalert.com

[Mean Daddy]

Thanks for getting the correct URL

[mewzilla]

Meanwhile, is NYS still engaging in home equity theft despite that recent Supreme Court decision...?

Inquiring minds want to know.