Payne County Clerk offers free property fraud monitoring service

Apr. 29—Payne County has partnered with an information technology company to offer residents free property fraud alert notifications through the County Clerk website.

This monitoring system will send an email or text message alert to you if a document, such as a deed or lien, is recorded with your name or business name as it appears in title, said Payne County Clerk Glenna Craig.

In a press release, Craig stated that "property and mortgage fraud is the fastest growing crime in America. It is as simple as someone recording a fraudulent document against your property, making it appear as though they own it."

"Then they obtain a mortgage or deed against the property and the rightful owner does not usually find out until they receive a notice of foreclosure or someone sells the property," Craig said.

The Payne County Clerk's office does review each document presented for filing to make sure that it meets all statutory requirements to be filed, but that won't guarantee people aren't a victim of a crime if the criminal is sophisticated enough.

"This new alert system is a way to help property owners prevent becoming the victim of property fraud and gives property owners an early warning of property fraud being committed, and an opportunity to take action to prevent further fraud," Craig said.

To free receive monitoring, residents must sign up for an account.

"There are many programs out there that are similar, but they all charge a monthly fee," she said.

The most vulnerable for this type of crime are those with high equity and no mortgage, and those who own properties which they do not personally occupy, such as rental homes, vacation homes or investment properties.

"As your County Clerk, I urge you to monitor public records filed using your name, because it is an important way to protect yourself from fraud," Craig said.

To find out more information, please go to countyclerk.paynecounty.org and click the property fraud alert tab.