Law Suits Charge Banks with Illegal Entry and Burglary

The New York Times:  Law suits around the country allege that banks illegally broke into homes, changed locks and stole personal property.  It is alleged that the banks gave no notice to the occupants.In some cases there were late payments on mortgages, but in other cases there were no mortgages.Identifying the number of homeowners who were locked out illegally is difficult. But banks and their representatives insist that these situations are just a tiny percentage of foreclosures.  

Many of the incidents that have become public appear to have been caused by confusion over whether a house is abandoned, in which case a bank may have the right to break in and make sure the property is secure.

Some of the cases appear to be mistakes involving homeowners who were up to date on their mortgage — or had paid off their home — but who still became targets of a bank.  Read more……