Land Registry Fraud

The Land Registry has finally bowed to pressure, and it should be said, listened to good reason and has removed confidential information from their online services.

Up until Monday you could pay a small fee and access your neighbours details. Not only was the original purchase price available and the value of the mortgage, but a copy of the actual mortgage document had been scanned onto the system.

This had led to a number of fraud cases where a would be trickster could copy the signature on a mortgage deed and seek a re-mortgage on the property.

In one circumstance, as reported on BBC Radio 4 yesterday, an unknowing home owner was tricked by a tenant who borrowed an extra £140k. The home owner only became aware of the problem when a letter was received nearly a year later telling them that they had defaulted on the mortgage. the fraud claim was rejected by Police, the bank and the Land Registry. It was only when a forensic scientist became involved did the authorities take notice.

Whilst the Land Registry still holds mortgage information it can only be accessed by application in writing.