Property Alert Services
It’s essential to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard our homes and assets. Your county may provide a free way to protect your property assets from scammers.
Property Alert Services:
The FBI reports that property and mortgage fraud represent the fastest growing in white-collar crimes across the United States. Fraudsters fabricate deeds to falsely claim ownership of properties, aiming for financial gain. This deception involves creating fraudulent documents in your name to unlawfully acquire your property.
Many counties offer free Property Alert Services. These services notify property owners when a deed, mortgage, or other official record is recorded in their name. If you receive an alert about an activity not initiated by you, it provides valuable time to take action. Go to your county’s clerk of the court page and search for “property fraud alerts” to see if your county offers these services (example: Seminole County, FL). Other counties will automatically mail you a letter when there are changes to a deed.
These alerts will generally notify you of an alert when a deed, mortgage, or other documents are recorded by the clerk of the court. If you receive an alert about activity not initiated by you, this early notification can provide valuable time to stop criminals in their tracks.
If you are a victim of property fraud, it may be difficult for the fraudulent deed to be removed, which may require a court order and involvement with local law enforcement.
Remember, early detection and preventive measures are crucial in combating property fraud. By staying informed and proactive, we can protect our homes and financial well-being.
More useful information regarding property fraud:
https://www.governing.com/security/counties-launch-property-fraud-alert-programs
Other ways to protect yourself from scams and identity theft from our past blogs:
Being a target by Search Engine Optimization
Guarding Your Financial Future: The Power of Credit Freezing