Resist illegal eviction

By The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 17, 2009

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Amid all the foreclosures in Tampa and around the country, illegal evictions have become widespread.

I came home to find two trucks being loaded with my personal belongings. A "lock-out" company, hired by the bank, informed me that the house was foreclosed upon, and they now were the owners of my personal property.

I called the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the company was ordered to leave. Once a home becomes foreclosed on, it doesn't mean that the bank can take your belongings and change the locks. They are required to file a writ of possession that is carried out by sheriff's deputies.

In my case, no writ of possession had been filed. But the lock-out company already had removed several valuables that were never recovered. I felt violated, as if I woke up and found myself in a communist country.

Most people don't protect their rights or stand up for themselves when they are the victim of an illegal eviction.

BRUCE WERNET

Brandon