State Uncovers Home-Auction Scam

RALEIGH — The State Attorney General’s Office will refund hundreds of thousands of dollars to unsuspecting homeowners and creditors after a scheme to keep public auction prices artificially low was uncovered. Last week, the office’s consumer protection team filed 10 lawsuits against 26 people and companies accusing them of making or accepting payments not to bid on properties being auctioned at courthouses in Wake, Durham, Orange and Johnston counties. Defendants in nine of the cases have agreed to repay sellers nearly $800,000 for money lost because of unfair bidding and have agreed to stop the illegal bidding.