Ransomware attack delaying Jackson County home sales
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — She fought for our country. But now a ransomware attack reportedly carried out by Russians has a local veteran whose disabled fighting to be able to sell her home.
It’s the latest effect from a cyber security breach in Jackson County last week.
Jackson County’s website says offices will remain closed at the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence Wednesday.
A ransomware attack last Tuesday has closed the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds, Assessment and Collections Office. The county said Monday its making progress on restoration and system recovery. But for some that progress can’t come soon enough.
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“It’s had a huge impact on our buyers and sellers in particular,” United Real Estate Kansas City Broker Marta Grace said.
The buyer of Jae Ramsey’s Independence home was hoping for an early closing.
“They told me to get out by April 1st, so I said OK, I did,” she said.
She hired movers with closing originally set for April 4, two days after that ransomware attack.
“They had like ten people in my house taking everything. I have no idea what I even have anymore,” Ramsey said.
Now she’s living with a relative waiting for proceeds from the sale of her home now set to close Thursday. But there’s no indication whether the Recorder of Deeds will open by then or how quickly they’ll get through at least a weeks worth of work missed.
“They are unable to close so the lenders won’t fund. They won’t lend you the money if they cannot record it with the county,” Grace explained.
“Primarily it’s we don’t know when they are going to get to close that’s caused the confusion and kind of a catastrophe,” TG Homes in the Heartland Owner Tina Groumoutis said.
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Contracts to sell homes have expiration dates to close by. In Ramsey’s case that deadline is quickly approaching.
“He could very well get cold feet and say I don’t know what’s going on over there, but I’m good I’ll find something else,” Groumoutis said of the buyer.
These real estate professionals say they wish they just had more information on when the issues created by the ransomware might be resolved to be able to extend those contracts.
“We are understanding and sympathetic to what Jackson County must be going through. It can not be easy having everybody coming at you, but maybe put something out there for those of us who are responsible for putting things out there for others,” Groumoutis said.
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The latest communication from Jackson County says they will let people know as soon as they can reopen.
