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homeowner's worst nightmare: waking up to find their property has been stolen from under them. For D'Andrea Turner, this was a harsh reality when squatters took over her Phoenix home and sold it without her knowledge or consent.

    The brazen crime began when Turner's ex-husband left the house unattended for an extended period. Two strangers, Aaron Polmanteer and Lledera Hollen, saw an opportunity to strike and forced their way in. They rummaged through personal documents belonging to the Turners, forged new ones, and assumed their identities.

    With fraudulent paperwork in hand, they successfully listed and sold the home to real estate investors for $200,000 – all without Turner's knowledge or involvement. The scheme might have gone undetected if Polmanteer and Hollen hadn't tried to cash checks written out in the Turners' names, ultimately leading to their downfall.

    This disturbing crime highlights a growing trend of title fraud, where criminals manipulate property records to steal homes from unsuspecting owners. But what is title fraud, exactly? It's when someone forges documents or impersonates homeowners to transfer ownership of a property without their consent.

    In Turner's case, Polmanteer and Hollen exploited the system by creating fake documents and convincing a title company and notary that they were legitimate. By the time Turner realized what had happened, the property had already changed hands on paper.

    So how can you protect your home from falling victim to this type of theft? Start by monitoring your property records. Many counties offer free notifications whenever a document is recorded in your name. Set up a Google alert for your address to catch any suspicious activity online.

    Work with a trusted title company that conducts thorough research into the property's history and issues title insurance to protect buyers from financial or legal trouble. And, most importantly, keep your personal documents secure – store them in a locked safe or safety deposit box, especially if you own multiple properties or will be away for extended periods.

    If you suspect title fraud, act fast. Check your property records, file a police report, and consult a real estate attorney who can help you navigate the complex process of reclaiming your title. Notify the title company involved in the fraudulent transaction, and leverage their resources to reverse the illegal transfer.

    By taking proactive steps to safeguard your home and personal information, you can prevent this type of theft from happening to you. Remember, your keys may give you physical access to your home, but it's your title that secures your legal right to it – protect it at all costs.