HOUSTON, Texas – A Houston-area real estate agent is facing legal troubles after being charged with three felonies related to identity theft and fraud.
Vanita Zano, 36, is accused of using fake documents and stealing someone’s identity to secure fraudulent rental leases for several individuals throughout the Houston area.
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Zano has been charged with making a false statement to obtain property or credit, securing the execution of a document by deception, and fraudulent use of identifying information. She was arrested on Feb. 26 but has since been released on a $15,000 bond.
Court documents show that between July 12, 2022, and March 28, 2024, Zano allegedly obtained $176,940 in fraudulent leases for at least five individuals. She reportedly used another person’s identity to pass background and credit checks, submitted fake pay stubs, and forged a disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs to make applicants appear as desirable tenants.
Authorities state that Zano received commissions from the rental properties along with upfront fees. They noted that the tenants she assisted would not have been approved for the properties if their real information had been submitted.
The case came to light on April 1, 2024, when Houston police were contacted by an investigator from the Texas Real Estate Commission regarding a suspicious rental application. The investigator reported that a landlord discovered fraud after realizing the person listed on the leasing application was not the individual residing in the apartment.
Upon investigation, it was found that the real person listed on the leasing document was of a different race and did not live on the property.
The woman whose identity was stolen stated she did not authorize anyone to use her personal information and intends to press charges. She mentioned being aware of the identity theft and has been working to resolve the issue for over a year.
Zano’s profile has been removed from the Houston Association of Realtors website.
Houston Association of Realtors released a statement:
“Vanita Zano is not a member of the Houston Association of Realtors. We are unable to provide any further information regarding this individual.
In partnership with Crime Stoppers, we have a website where people can find information about red flags to look out for regarding rental scams. You may learn more at HAR.com/tips.”