Ida Robinson’s family has owned a home in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood since 1951. As of May 2026, her granddaughter was still fighting in court to reclaim its deed.
According to BK Reader, Sherease Torain alleges that real estate investors forged Robinson’s signature, recorded a fraudulent deed, and obtained a substantial loan against the property. Torain is the founder of the Black Homeowners Preservation Coalition.
For Black families who have spent decades building equity, deed theft threatens both housing security and wealth intended for the next generation. Scammers may forge a signature. They may also persuade an owner to transfer a home under the guise of mortgage assistance or foreclosure relief.
Complaints are rising. The New York Attorney General’s Office reports a 240% increase in deed theft complaints statewide from 2023 to 2025. It attributes much of that to growing awareness of the problem.
Cases in New York City offer lessons for homeowners elsewhere. Property-record systems, reporting procedures, and estate laws vary by jurisdiction.
A Brooklyn Deed-Theft Scheme Involving 11 Properties
In June 2025, disbarred attorney Sanford Solny was convicted in a scheme involving the theft of deeds to 11 Brooklyn residential properties. Prosecutors said he primarily targeted minority homeowners in financial distress.
Solny promised to help arrange short sales that could prevent foreclosure. Instead, he deceived homeowners into transferring ownership to himself or companies he controlled.
In November 2025, he was sentenced to two and a half to seven years in prison. The judge also nullified the deeds to the 11 properties. Solny has appealed his conviction.
Nullified deeds did not automatically return homes to victims. Some are still in court. The judge also did not order Solny to repay nearly $500,000 in rent that prosecutors said he collected from the properties.
Solny’s case is one of many. Since 2017, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office has obtained 30 indictments against 42 defendants in deed theft cases involving more than 70 properties.
How Deed Theft Happens
Deed theft occurs when someone takes title to a home without the homeowner’s knowledge or approval. The New York Attorney General’s Office identifies forgery and fraud as two common methods:
Forged documents: A scammer falsifies a homeowner’s signature on a deed and files it with the appropriate recording office.
Transfers obtained through deception: A scammer persuades a homeowner to sign documents without revealing that the paperwork transfers ownership. The homeowner may believe the documents concern mortgage assistance or another financial arrangement.
Foreclosure-rescue scams can fall into the second category. Someone offers to help an owner avoid foreclosure, then uses that promise to obtain the property.
The Attorney General’s Office identifies seniors, immigrants, and people of color among those targeted. New York City’s executive order creating the Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention says scammers have targeted seniors and immigrants in historically Black neighborhoods.
Other potential targets include homes facing foreclosure, properties with tax or utility liens, and homes whose owners have died without heirs completing the legal transfer of title.
Seven Steps Homeowners Can Take to Protect Their Property
1. Register for property-recording alerts
New York City’s free Notice of Recorded Document Program notifies registered owners when certain documents, including deeds and mortgages, are recorded against their property.
These alerts do not block fraudulent filings, but they can help homeowners spot suspicious activity and respond quickly. Registration information is available through the NYC Department of Finance.
2. Review property records at least once a year
Check recorded documents for unfamiliar deeds, mortgages, or other filings. Both New York City and the Attorney General’s Office recommend checking records once a year.
In Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, homeowners can search records through the Automated City Register Information System (ACRIS). Staten Island records are maintained through the Richmond County Clerk. Homeowners elsewhere should contact their county recorder, register of deeds, or equivalent local office.
3. Get independent advice before signing property documents
Do not sign documents involving your home unless you understand what they do. Be especially cautious when someone pressures you to act immediately or promises to fix financial problems through a property transfer.
The Attorney General’s Office advises homeowners to consult their own attorney before signing over ownership. Choose someone who represents your interests. Do not rely on the person proposing the transaction.
4. Address mortgage and property tax problems early
If you are struggling with mortgage payments or other housing costs, seek help before accepting an unsolicited rescue offer.
The Attorney General’s Office directs homeowners to the Homeowner Protection Program, which provides access to free housing counseling and legal assistance in New York. Homeowners can call 855-466-3456 for help.
Independent guidance can help you weigh your options without relying on someone who stands to benefit from a transfer.
5. Resolve inherited ownership and plan for succession
A relative’s death can leave a property’s legal ownership unresolved. The Attorney General’s Office identifies homes whose deceased owners’ heirs have not completed the title transfer among properties targeted by scammers.
Families should seek legal guidance on documenting inherited ownership and planning for a future transfer. The appropriate approach depends on state law and the family’s circumstances. Estate-planning documents should not be treated as a substitute for completing required ownership procedures.
One option is a transfer-on-death deed, which New York now allows. It lets an owner name who inherits the home while keeping control of the property during their lifetime. The Attorney General’s Office says these deeds can help avoid scams like deed theft. They must be filed with the county clerk before the owner’s death. Ask an attorney whether one fits your situation.
6. Keep mailing information current and investigate missing bills
Make sure property-recording and tax offices have your correct mailing address.
The Attorney General’s Office also advises homeowners to pay attention if property tax or water bills stop arriving. Missing bills can indicate that someone has changed information associated with the property. Investigate unexpected changes rather than assuming they are administrative errors.
7. Treat unsolicited property offers cautiously
An offer to buy your home or help with foreclosure is not proof of wrongdoing. But promises of an easy solution deserve scrutiny, especially when they involve signing over ownership. The Solny case shows how an offer of foreclosure assistance can conceal a fraudulent transfer.
Before proceeding, obtain independent legal advice. Make sure you understand the documents, the transaction, and what happens to your ownership after you sign.
What to Do if You Suspect Deed Theft
If you discover an unfamiliar deed, mortgage, or ownership change, act promptly.
Obtain copies of the suspicious filings from the recording office. Preserve related contracts, letters, emails, and other communications.
In New York, suspected deed theft can be reported to the Attorney General’s Office at 800-771-7755 or deedtheft@ag.ny.gov. New York City homeowners can also report fraud to the Sheriff’s Office at 718-707-2100 and to the district attorney in the borough where the property is located. Seek legal assistance to understand how to challenge the transaction and protect your interests.
New York City residents can also complete the Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention intake form. The office reviews complaints, helps identify next steps, and connects homeowners with enforcement partners or legal resources. Its involvement does not replace court proceedings that may be necessary to resolve an ownership dispute.
Resources for Homeowners
New York Attorney General: Deed-theft prevention and reporting guidance; 800-771-7755; deedtheft@ag.ny.gov.
Mayor’s Office of Deed Theft Prevention: Complaint intake and connections to relevant agencies and legal resources.
NYC Department of Finance: Property-recording alerts and information about accessing recorded documents.
ACRIS: Search recorded deeds and mortgages for Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
Homeowner Protection Program: Free housing counseling and legal assistance in New York; 855-466-3456.
Protecting Homeownership for the Next Generation
Protecting a family home means protecting more than a place to live. For families who plan to pass the property to the next generation, keeping ownership records current, reviewing recorded documents, and getting independent advice before signing are practical safeguards.
These steps cannot eliminate every risk, but they can help homeowners recognize suspicious activity and respond sooner.
The home has been in the Robinson family for more than 70 years. As of May 2026, they were still in court to reclaim its deed.
