http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7079494.stm
The Land Registry is to remove online versions of scanned mortgage deeds and leases amid concerns that fraudsters have been accessing the documents.
The Land Register Online site, set up in 2005, will be changed from midnight on Monday to ensure the scanned documents are no longer available.
People who want access to the documents will instead have to apply in writing.
It follows fears over criminals using the site to get property ownership transferred into their names.
The MP for Hitchen and Harpenden said his constituent had rented out a property, and within days the tenant had used the website to download the deeds and get the owner's signature.
He then used them to forge a power of attorney and transfer the ownership of the property into his name, before taking out a mortgage for £140,000 and disappearing, said Mr Lilley.
It was only when the new tenants moved in and the bailiffs came round to repossess the house that his constituent realised there was a problem.
Another stunningly thought through public sector websh|te.
The Land Registry is to remove online versions of scanned mortgage deeds and leases amid concerns that fraudsters have been accessing the documents.
The Land Register Online site, set up in 2005, will be changed from midnight on Monday to ensure the scanned documents are no longer available.
People who want access to the documents will instead have to apply in writing.
It follows fears over criminals using the site to get property ownership transferred into their names.
The MP for Hitchen and Harpenden said his constituent had rented out a property, and within days the tenant had used the website to download the deeds and get the owner's signature.
He then used them to forge a power of attorney and transfer the ownership of the property into his name, before taking out a mortgage for £140,000 and disappearing, said Mr Lilley.
It was only when the new tenants moved in and the bailiffs came round to repossess the house that his constituent realised there was a problem.
Another stunningly thought through public sector websh|te.
Comment