NYC Gazette

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso recently organized a Deed Theft Prevention Workshop at Medgar Evers College, in collaboration with Brooklyn Legal Services and Grow Brooklyn. The event aimed to educate residents about deed fraud, a significant issue in Central Brooklyn, particularly affecting elderly homeowners and people of color. Approximately 100 individuals attended the workshop.

"Homeownership is one of the most important pathways to building and sustaining wealth. When deed theft scammers target communities like Central Brooklyn, they are trying to displace our neighbors and lock Black and brown families out of homes they’ve nourished for generations. Events like our Deed Theft Workshop give homeowners the tools they need to remain in their homes and protect themselves from this predatory practice. Knowledge is power and I’m thankful to all the partners who made this day possible," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

The New York State Attorney General’s office reports that over 1,500 of the 3,500 complaints regarding deed theft since 2014 originated from Brooklyn. Black and Brown homeowners are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as living in gentrifying areas, lacking formal estate plans, and having limited access to legal resources.

The workshop was supported by several organizations including the Office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the New York City Department of Finance, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the New York City Department of Buildings.