Bill > H5159

This bill establishes the felony of "deed theft" or "title fraud" in South Carolina, which involves unlawfully transferring a property owner's title or deed to another party through various fraudulent means. It defines "fraud" broadly to include intentional misrepresentations or gross negligence regarding material facts, dishonest promises, and failure to disclose important information. A "real estate instrument" is defined as any document affecting real estate, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, or tax notices. The bill makes it illegal to alter, forge, or counterfeit these instruments, to knowingly possess or use such forged documents, or to file a real estate instrument with false information, a fictitious name, or by concealing material facts. Violators of these provisions will be guilty of deed theft and face imprisonment of up to five years.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5159&session=126&summary=B