Palm Beach Cops Warn Of Home Title Hijacking Scams Utilizing Forged Deeds; Urge Homeowners To Sign Up For County Clerk/Controller Office's Free Property Fraud Alert

In Palm Beach, Florida, the Palm Beach Daily News reports:

• Palm Beach police warn residents about a property and mortgage scam and recommend that property owners sign up for fraud alerts through the clerk’s office.
  
  People involved in the scam file fake deeds, making it appear as if they own homes that are not actually theirs.
  
  Once the person files the fake deed showing he or she as the owner, the fraudster may put the property on the market to try and sell it, said Captain Jeff Trylch. In addition, the fraudulent owner can use that property as collateral and get bank loans against the property.
  
  “There also have been cases where people get these fake deeds, become the fraudulent owner and attempt to evict the actual owner from that home,” Trylch said.
  
  The Clerk & Comptroller of Palm Beach County offers a free service for property fraud alert, which helps protect residents by monitoring the documents being recorded in the official records of the clerk’s office. By signing up, residents will receive notification by email or phone whenever a document is recorded in Palm Beach County using their name or their business’ name.
  
  “Signing up for the clerk’s fraud alerts is a way to know if anyone files any liens or any transactions regarding your property,” Trylch said. “It’s like a fraud alert on your credit cards. When you sign up, you can select either email or phone alerts and the alerts will come within 48 hours of any action taken regarding your property.”
  
  Sign up for Property Fraud Alerts offered by the Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County at pfa.fidlar.com/FLPalmbeach/ or call 1-800-728-3858.

Source: Palm Beach Police warn residents of property and mortgage scam.