Montgomery County, Ohio, Recorder Stacey Benson-Taylor kicked off the Recorder’s Office exposing deed fraud initiative.
Since the implementation of the fraud alert notification (FAN) system in 2018, nearly 13,000 properties have been enrolled in the free notification program. The FAN system is designed to notify property owners of all documents being recorded in the Montgomery County Recorder’s Office. If there is suspicious activity threatening the ownership of one’s property, the notification will trigger the property owner to act before it is too late.
The exposing deed fraud initiative is a media campaign, showcasing billboards, window decals and community outreach opportunities, encouraging all property owners in Montgomery County to enroll in the FAN System as the first step in protecting their homes and/or investments.
Property deed fraud cases are at an all-time high not only locally but across the country. Benson-Taylor accepts and reviews all fraud complaints, personally, before referring them to the prosecutor’s office for investigation. In 2022, she reviewed one case per month. One year later, she is reviewing two to three cases per week.
“We cannot just stand by and let people come into our community and steal our properties,” stated Benson-Taylor. “The sooner we know there is a problem, the sooner we can do something about it.”
While any property can be targeted, the most vulnerable properties are those left vacant for the following reasons:
- abandoned due to delinquent taxes.
- death of a family member.
- rental properties being remodeled.
- •newly listed properties for sale.