In today’s world, it’s easy to attribute many issues to global agendas and conspiracies. However, not everything happening in our country can be traced back to such grand schemes. Some problems are rooted in plain old greed and corruption. One such issue exists in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, where the existing land transfer structure enables title fraud, allowing criminals to steal properties from their rightful owners. Shockingly, this leads to an annual loss of over $300 million in stolen property in the Province of Ontario alone.

The culprits behind this fraud are exploiting the land title system in these provinces. Teranet, a privately owned land title corporation, handles all land transfers in Ontario and Manitoba. Martin McDermott, an expert in databases and electronics, discovered the severity of the issue with this platform when his own mother’s property was stolen in 2008. Since then, he has extensively researched Teranet and assisted victims of title fraud while striving to raise awareness about this problem.

Sadly, mainstream media outlets have shown little interest in covering this story. Although the lawyer who stole McDermott’s mother’s property is now under suspension, justice may still be elusive. The Law Society of Upper Canada, which oversees lawyers in Ontario, has possession of the lawyer’s records but will not cooperate that easily along with the lack of transparency and accountability further complicates the pursuit of justice for the victims.

Martin McDermott sheds light on Teranet and the measures individuals can take to protect themselves from having their land titles stolen. He has uncovered shocking details about the flaws in the system and the complicity of certain individuals. However, there is a concerted effort to suppress this information and hinder the exposure of the scandal.

One key aspect of the fraud involves some lawyers who exploit the electronic land registry system. Since 2000, lawyers in Ontario could simply apply to Teranet to receive credentials for land transfers. They could represent both the buyer and the seller, leading to cases where some lawyers transferred properties to themselves or other sheltered corporations.

The stories of victims highlight the devastating consequences of title fraud. Elderly individuals, in particular, have fallen victim to these crimes. Trudy Trohan Uptown, for example, fought to regain her mother’s property after it was stolen in a separation. Despite following all the legal procedures, she was ultimately failed by a flawed system. The legal process seems to favor the criminals, and victims are left without any means to reclaim their properties.

It is essential to emphasize that this issue extends beyond Ontario and Manitoba. The entire land title system is under the control of Teranet, a private corporation with no government oversight. This means that any lawyer who understands the system can potentially steal a property from any unsuspecting owner. To protect themselves, individuals are advised to obtain title insurance. While it may seem unfair to have to insure something you already own, it offers a level of protection against potential fraud. Title insurance can provide evidence of ownership and be used to file claims if a property is stolen. Additionally, individuals can consider having a contractor friend place a line on their property as another form of protection. Another option would be to register a small mortgage or a line of credit against the property so that a charge already exists on your title.

It is crucial to raise awareness of this issue and take preventive measures to safeguard property rights. Those affected should reach out to organizations like the Land Titles Assurance Fund for more information and support. By staying informed and proactive, individuals can help combat title fraud and hold those responsible accountable.

The case of Teranet and title fraud exposes the vulnerabilities in our land registry system. It serves as a cautionary tale for other provinces considering similar privatization of land title operations. It is essential to remain vigilant and ensure that the interests of property owners are protected above all else. To learn more about how best to maximize your land value, please call the team at Creiland Consultants at 1 800 980 6668 to learn more.