Councilmember Chi Ossé rallied with advocates on Monday to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to take action they say would help protect homeowners from deed theft.
That’s a scam where fraudsters take the title of a home without the homeowner’s knowledge or approval. It’s become a major issue in the city as scammers target elderly and nonwhite homeowners who might not fully understand the documents they are signing.
The scam has been reported in Queens and Brooklyn neighborhoods, and lawmakers across the city and state have raised alarms.
Ossé is calling for Hochul to enforce a temporary moratorium on eviction proceedings for New York City properties where there is a possibility of deed theft.
He joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Monday to discuss more.
Ossé represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights, Brooklyn neighborhoods that have seen rising complaints of deed theft.
Tap the video player above to watch the interview.