Sullivan County is now providing a free service to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets. With Fraud Alert, anyone can sign up to receive email alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or mortgage, is recorded under their name.
According to the FBI, property fraud is one of the fastest-growing white-collar crimes. Deed fraud can occur when someone records a fraudulent document in the Clerk’s Office, apparently changing the ownership of their property. Fraudulent mortgages and liens could also be recorded with respect to a property.
Although checking does not prevent the actual fraudulent activity from taking place, it does provide an early warning of what may have otherwise gone undetected. (Note that even if proved fraudulent, no document can be removed from the official records without a judge’s order from the courts.)
Consumers should take prompt, appropriate action if they determine a recording to be fraudulent. They can sign up now for free for Fraud Alert at https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert?CC=NYSUL, or visit https://sullivanny.us/Departments/Clerk/Fraud.