Editor’s Note:This article has been updated to reflect the corrected Senate Bill.
Texas has enacted new laws to combat a growing wave of property scams that have left homeowners and renters vulnerable to fraud. The legislation makes real property theft and fraud criminal offenses while strengthening protections for consumers.
mmers hijacking home listings—New law fights back
Senate Bill 15 now classifies “real property theft” and “real property fraud” as crimes in Texas, giving prosecutors clear legal tools to pursue anyone attempting to steal homes through fraudulent paperwork. The law represents a significant step forward in addressing deed theft, where scammers illegally transfer property ownership through fake documents.
“We are seeing an uptick in frauds and scams in every different way,” Corpus Christi Realtor David Garcia said…