Detroit family may lose home after falling victim to property deed scam

DETROIT (WJBK) - "They're monsters. They're heartless. They're don't have no type of remorse for anything that they're doing," says Paula Harris.

A Detroit family may soon be out on the streets thanks to a property deed scam. Harris has just learned that she, her daughter-in-law and her children will have to leave their west side Detroit home on Freeland Street in about a week.

"I'm going to end up having to put my things in storage and put my kids to a shelter, something that I really don't want to take them to, a shelter," she says.

Harris says her daughter-in-law met a woman in July, who said she could get them moved into the home quickly. The woman supposedly worked with someone named Ronald Dean, and told them Harris would only have to put $500 down and pay $325 a month.

"I started asking questions about it and the young lady, she was basically telling me, "Oh, no you're fine. Everything is good. We've been dealing with them for years,'" Harris says.

Harris says she quickly realized something wasn't right in early August when she didn't receive a receipt for paid rent. She says the next thing she knew, people were cutting her grass even though they just had, and they took a picture of her, saying they had to let the bank know the house was occupied.

Already out $2,000, Harris says she spent money fixing up the house, painting it, buying new locks and a new furnace and water heater. But then she learned the home is owned by M & T Bank -- and that she has to be out by next Thursday.

"They want their property back. That's what the judge said - basically, you got scammed and the bank wants their house back, so everybody has to go," she says.

Fox 2 was unable to find Ronald Dean, or that woman supposedly working with him.

"The girl never responded to any text messages, no more phone calls, nothing," she said.

We then called the attorneys representing the bank to see if they will work with Harris. Meanwhile, Harris created a GoFundMe page, hoping these slimy scammers don't dupe someone else.

If you think you may have been the victim of deed fraud, you can call the hotline at (313) 224-5869.