Bill > HB4534

This bill, titled the West Virginia Title Protection Act, aims to safeguard landowners from fraudulent claims against their property. It establishes that rightful property owners will retain full title to their land, free from any encumbrances, even if someone fraudulently files a deed or obtains a loan using that property. The bill also mandates that county clerks must notify landowners via regular mail whenever their property is transferred or when any document affecting their land, such as a deed, is filed or modified, serving as a crucial alert system against potential fraud. This legislation is a response to the growing threat of title and mortgage fraud, which the bill highlights as a significant white-collar crime, exacerbated by the ease with which property records can be manipulated online. The intent is to ensure that innocent landowners are not penalized or subjected to unnecessary legal actions when they are victims of such fraudulent activities.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4534&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill