Method and system for protecting real estate from fradulent title changes

Abstract

A method for protecting real estate from fraudulent changes in title begins by receiving a verification that a party requesting a change in title to a specific item of real estate is the true owner of the specific item of real estate. A title change authorization is provided if the identity of the requesting party is verified. A verification is received if the individual is a trusted authority authorized to modify title to real estate. The individual is authorized to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate in accordance with the title change authorization.

1 . A method for authorizing a change in title to real estate, comprising the steps of:
 a) receiving an indication of a trusted authority authorized to modify title to a specific item of real estate;   b) verifying the identity of a party requesting a change in title to the specific item of real estate as the true owner of the specific item of real estate; and   c) providing a title change authorization in accordance with an outcome of the verification, the title change authorization authorizing the specific individual to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the verifying step comprises comparing a biometric credential of the requesting party against a prior saved biometric credential of the true owner of the specific item of real estate. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the title change authorization providing step comprises allowing the change in title to be effected only within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         4 . An authorization server for authorizing a change in title to real estate, the authorization server being in communication with a title lock database having a plurality of title lock records, each said title lock record being associated with a specific item of real estate and including an indication of an authorization by an owner of the specific item of real estate for a change in title to the specific item of real estate, the authorization server comprising:
 owner identity verification means for verifying the identity of a party requesting a change in title to a specific item of real estate as the true owner of the specific item of real estate; and   title change authorization means in communication with the owner identity verification means and the title lock database, the title change authorization means being configured to update the title lock record associated with the specific item of real estate with a title change authorization authorizing a specific individual to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate.   
     
     
         5 . The authorization server according to  claim 4 , wherein the owner identity verification means is configured to verify the identity of the party by comparing a biometric credential of the requesting party against a prior saved biometric credential of the true owner of the specific item of real estate. 
     
     
         6 . The authorization server according to  claim 5 , wherein the title change authorization means is configured to update the title lock record to authorize the change in title to be effected only within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         7 . A method for effecting a change in title to real estate, comprising the steps of:
 a) verifying the identity of an individual as a trusted authority authorized to modify title to real estate; and   b) in accordance with an outcome of the verification, authorizing the trusted authority to effect a change in title to a specific item of real estate in accordance with a prior authorization, provided by an owner of the specific item of real estate prior to the verifying, authorizing the change in title to the specific item of real estate by the individual.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the verifying step comprises comparing a biometric credential of the individual against a prior saved credential of a trusted authority authorized to modify title to real estate. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the prior authorization includes a predetermined time period for the change in title, and the authorizing step comprises authorizing the trusted authority to only effect the change in title within the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         10 . A title change server for effecting a change in title to real estate, the title change server being in communication with a title lock database having a plurality of title lock records, each said title lock record being associated with a specific item of real estate and including an authorization identifying a specific individual authorized to effect a change in title to the specific item of real estate, the title change server comprising:
 authority identity verification means for verifying the identity of an individual as a trusted authority authorized to modify title to real estate; and   title change means in communication with the authority identity verification means and the title lock database, the title change means being configured to authorize the trusted authority to effect a change in title to the specific item of real estate in accordance with the title lock record associated with the specific item of real estate.   
     
     
         11 . The title change server according to  claim 10 , wherein the authority identity verification means is configured to verify the identity of the individual by comparing a biometric credential of the individual against a prior saved credential of a trusted authority authorized to modify title to real estate. 
     
     
         12 . The title change server according to  claim 11 , wherein the title lock record specifies a predetermined time period for the change in title, and the title change means is configured to authorize the trusted authority to only effect the change in title within the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         13 . A method for effecting a change in title to real estate, comprising the steps of:
 a) receiving a party identity verification verifying the identity of a party requesting a change in title to a specific item of real estate as the true owner of the specific item of real estate;   b) providing a title change authorization in accordance with an outcome of the party identity verification, the title change authorization authorizing a specific individual to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate;   c) receiving an individual identity verification verifying the identity of the specific individual as a trusted authority authorized to modify title to real estate; and   d) in accordance with an outcome of the individual identity verification, authorizing the trusted authority to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate in accordance with the title change authorization.   
     
     
         14 . An authorization system for authorizing a change in title to real estate, comprising:
 a title lock database having a plurality of title lock records, each said title lock record being associated with a specific item of real estate and including an indication of an authorization by an owner of the specific item of real estate for a change in title to the specific item of real estate;   title change authorization means coupled to the title lock database, the title change authorization means being configured to update the title lock record associated with the specific item of real estate with a title change authorization authorizing a specific individual to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate; and   title change means coupled to the title lock database, the title change means being configured to authorize the individual to effect the change in title to the specific item of real estate in accordance with the title lock record associated with the specific item of real estate.