Chicago-Area Recorder Of Deeds Offices Consider Establishing "Deed Theft" Units

In Illinois, the Chicago Tribune reports:

• [B]eginning in 2007, [Cook County Recorder of Deeds Eugene] Moore's office began mailing postcards to homeowners when quitclaim deeds were filed, transferring interest in their properties. Some criminals had been forging owners' signatures on the deeds, transferring ownership to themselves, and then mortgaging the homes without the real owners being any wiser -- until the foreclosure notices started arriving. [...] Moore said he needs additional resources to keep up with the bad guys. So he is asking for $1 million in additional funding from the county to create a mortgage fraud task force inside his office. The squad would be made up of several sheriff's police officers trained in financial crimes and at least one full-time prosecutor.

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• He isn't the only one thinking that way. The DuPage County recorder's office is looking at a mortgage fraud task force as well.

• As for what could be accomplished, Moore points to Detroit, where the register of deeds office in Wayne County, Mich., has the kind of unit he wants. Since September 2005, the Wayne County task force has opened 420 cases of suspected mortgage fraud and sent dozens of people to prison. There is a hot line for consumers and two intake workers to sort through the calls. Four sheriff's deputies investigate cases and two full-time prosecutors bring charges.

For more, see Mortgage fraud units proposed (Officials in Cook, DuPage Counties press for task forces to probe suspected falsified transfers).

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