When They Try to Sell You Back Your Own House (and Money)
Jim Reynolds | www.reynolds.com
Grook: Selling Back What’s Yours
They’ll “steal” your home
with a forged little deed,
then sell you insurance
for a danger you don’t need.
They’ll write you a letter
about cash left behind,
but the state holds it free—
if you care to go find.
1. The “They Can Steal Your House” Panic
Late-night TV says crooks can swipe your deed, record it, and — poof — your home is gone. Call now, before the locks change!
Reality check:
A forged deed doesn’t give anyone lawful ownership. It gives you a headache and a court filing, not a homeless night.
Title insurance and homeowners insurance already backstop the real risks.
Counties often offer free property-fraud alerts.
Bob says: “If they can really steal your house with a Bic pen and $8 filing fee, why do we need armies and aircraft carriers?”
2. The “You May Be Owed Money” Letter
A crisp envelope from a law firm: Good news! You may be entitled to unclaimed property left in your name. We’ll retrieve it for just 10%.
Reality check:
States run official unclaimed property sites where you can search and claim for free.
Those firms just scrape the databases, shotgun letters, and wait for a few people to bite.
Their service is legal — but it’s convenience billing for forms you can fill out in ten minutes.
Bob says: “They’re not stealing — they’re invoicing you for breathing.”
3. What Smart Conservatives Do
Check your county recorder: sign up for free fraud alerts.
Check your state’s unclaimed property site: search your name and old addresses once a year.
Ignore the hype: a mailed letter or scary ad is not a court order.
Keep insurance current: title + homeowners = real protection.
4. Why This Matters
Fear sells. Paperwork sells. But the mix of the two is catnip for hustlers. Smart people don’t outsource vigilance to late-night commercials or law-firm mailers. They use the free tools already on the shelf.
Bob’s closer: “The world is full of people willing to sell you back your own stuff. The trick is knowing when to laugh, click, and keep your wallet shut.”