Texas woman’s historic family land stolen and sold for $45K—how it happened and how to protect yours
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Imagine waking up one day to find out that the land your family has owned for generations—filled with history, memories, and deep sentimental value—was no longer yours.
Not because you sold it, but because someone else did, without your knowledge.
That’s exactly what happened to one Texas woman, whose 200-year-old family property was stolen and sold online for just $45,000.
Real estate scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more important than ever to stay informed and take steps to protect our homes.
This shocking case serves as a wake-up call about how property fraud can happen and what you can do to prevent it.
DaNita, a healthcare administrator from Texas, was the rightful heir to a piece of land in Lake Charles that had been in her family for two centuries.
The property, rich with history and sentimental value, was passed down to her by her mother just before her passing in 2020.
That same year, the house on the property was destroyed by Hurricane Laura, leaving DaNita with little to do with the land other than maintaining it and paying the annual property taxes.
However, when DaNita went to settle her property tax bill, she was met with a shocking discovery.
The land had been purchased by Louisiana-based Live Oak Insurance Co., which had no idea it was caught in a fraudulent transaction.
Suddenly, DaNita found herself in the surreal position of having to convince the company’s CEO, Andrew David Hankins, that she was the true owner of the property.
“I’m the real DaNita Batiste,” she insisted, as reported by Realtor.com.
The scam was promptly reported to the police, and while the $45,000 transaction was frozen and reversed, the ordeal was far from over.
DaNita is still fighting to reclaim legal ownership of her family’s land—a battle no homeowner should have to face.
Unfortunately, DaNita’s situation isn’t an isolated case.
Real estate fraud attorney Marx David Sterbcow has seen a rise in similar incidents, especially with the shift toward remote closings and digital transactions.
“It’s an industry problem, and there needs to be something done to help manage that,” Sterbcow told Realtor.com.
It’s unsettling, but there are multiple ways a home can be taken or sold without an owner’s permission. Here are three key scenarios to watch out for:
1. Tax Sale: If property taxes go unpaid, the government can legally sell the property to recover the debt. While homeowners typically have a redemption period to pay off the owed amount, failure to do so can result in the property being auctioned off.
2. Foreclosure: If mortgage payments are missed, lenders can foreclose on the home. Even homeowners in HOA communities are at risk—falling behind on fees could result in foreclosure and a forced sale.
3. Property Fraud: Scammers can forge documents and impersonate homeowners, selling or mortgaging a property without the real owner’s knowledge. This is especially common with landlords, absentee owners, or those with fully paid-off homes.
To safeguard against scams like these, experts recommend taking proactive measures:
DaNita’s story is a stark reminder that property scams are real and can happen to anyone. At The GrayVine, we urge homeowners to stay vigilant and take steps to protect their most valuable assets.
Read next: Get it plain: This Dollar Tree warning could save you from buying subpar products!
Have you ever encountered suspicious activity regarding your property? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Not because you sold it, but because someone else did, without your knowledge.
That’s exactly what happened to one Texas woman, whose 200-year-old family property was stolen and sold online for just $45,000.
Real estate scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more important than ever to stay informed and take steps to protect our homes.
This shocking case serves as a wake-up call about how property fraud can happen and what you can do to prevent it.
DaNita Batiste’s family land, passed down for generations, was stolen and sold without her knowledge. Image Source: Pexels / Thirdman.
The Unthinkable Becomes Reality
DaNita, a healthcare administrator from Texas, was the rightful heir to a piece of land in Lake Charles that had been in her family for two centuries.
The property, rich with history and sentimental value, was passed down to her by her mother just before her passing in 2020.
That same year, the house on the property was destroyed by Hurricane Laura, leaving DaNita with little to do with the land other than maintaining it and paying the annual property taxes.
However, when DaNita went to settle her property tax bill, she was met with a shocking discovery.
The land had been purchased by Louisiana-based Live Oak Insurance Co., which had no idea it was caught in a fraudulent transaction.
Suddenly, DaNita found herself in the surreal position of having to convince the company’s CEO, Andrew David Hankins, that she was the true owner of the property.
“I’m the real DaNita Batiste,” she insisted, as reported by Realtor.com.
The scam was promptly reported to the police, and while the $45,000 transaction was frozen and reversed, the ordeal was far from over.
DaNita is still fighting to reclaim legal ownership of her family’s land—a battle no homeowner should have to face.
Beware: Property scams are on the rise—stay vigilant and protect your home. Image Source: YouTube / Good Morning America (FBI SCAM U).
Property Scams Are on the Rise
Unfortunately, DaNita’s situation isn’t an isolated case.
Real estate fraud attorney Marx David Sterbcow has seen a rise in similar incidents, especially with the shift toward remote closings and digital transactions.
“It’s an industry problem, and there needs to be something done to help manage that,” Sterbcow told Realtor.com.
Also read: Alert: The $2,000 Google Maps scam putting your home at risk
How Your Home Can Be Sold Without Your Consent
It’s unsettling, but there are multiple ways a home can be taken or sold without an owner’s permission. Here are three key scenarios to watch out for:
1. Tax Sale: If property taxes go unpaid, the government can legally sell the property to recover the debt. While homeowners typically have a redemption period to pay off the owed amount, failure to do so can result in the property being auctioned off.
2. Foreclosure: If mortgage payments are missed, lenders can foreclose on the home. Even homeowners in HOA communities are at risk—falling behind on fees could result in foreclosure and a forced sale.
3. Property Fraud: Scammers can forge documents and impersonate homeowners, selling or mortgaging a property without the real owner’s knowledge. This is especially common with landlords, absentee owners, or those with fully paid-off homes.
Also read: Another shower of breaches, not blessings, this Christmas: Millions of Americans' finances at risk!
How to Protect Your Property
To safeguard against scams like these, experts recommend taking proactive measures:
- Title Insurance: This protects homeowners by covering legal costs if fraud or disputes arise.
- Title Monitoring Services: These services send alerts if any suspicious activity occurs on your property’s title records.
- Regular Title Checks: Reviewing your property records can help catch fraudulent activity early.
DaNita’s story is a stark reminder that property scams are real and can happen to anyone. At The GrayVine, we urge homeowners to stay vigilant and take steps to protect their most valuable assets.
Read next: Get it plain: This Dollar Tree warning could save you from buying subpar products!
Have you ever encountered suspicious activity regarding your property? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
