Don't become a Victim to Property Fraud

Protecting your Vacant Land or Property from Deed Fraud in Florida

 

Deed Fraud also known as property theft, is a growing concern, especially to owners of Vacant Land or unoccupied properties in Florida. According to the FBI, property fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes. Criminals forge documents to transfer ownership of your property, without your knowledge, leaving you with a legal nightmare. The Clerk of the Court's office only records documents that are filed, but do not verify the documents or the info contained in the documents.  Fortunately, there are steps you can take to proactively monitor your property / Home investment here in Central Florida.

 

Regularly monitor Public Records - In Florida, property records are public, making it easier for fraudsters to target unsuspecting owners. Regularly check your property records throughyour county's property appraiser or clerk of the court website to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made.

 

Sign up for Property Fraud Alerts - Many counties, including those in the Orlando area, offer free property fraud alert services.  These services only notify you if any documents are recorded under your name, so you need to act quickly if something suspicious arises.

 

Secure your Documents - Keep your original deed and other property related documents in a safe and secure location.  If possible, store them in a fireproof safe or a secure digital format to prevent unauthorized access.

 

Consider using a Trust or LLC - Placing your property in a trust or LLC can make it harder for fraudsters to target you and your property.  This adds a layer of anonymity and complexity, discouraging potential criminals.

 

Title Lock Service - There are companies that offer a Title Lock Service to monitor your property title for unauthorized changes.  While they don't prevent fraud, they provide monitoring and alert you to potential issues. 

 

Register for a FREE Property Fraud Alert from the Clerk of the Court for the county that your property is located in.  You will receive an alert when a deed, mortgage, lien or other official record is recorded in your name. This helps combat property fraud here in Florida.  This notification only occurs after the document is recorded, so once you are notified, you will want to act fast.

 

This is just one of many reasons to work with a Realtor and Title Company.  Many of these scammers want to sell properties fast and therefore usually offer the property at a discount rate.  Often they want to use a Quit Claim Deed to transfer ownership as this document can easily be found online and filled-out by anyone. 

 

Having a Team of Professionals, whether Buying or Selling Real Estate, working on your behalf offers another layer of protection from what could be costly mistakes.

 

Osceola County (Kissimmee, St Cloud, Harmony, Celebration, Reunion, Championsgate)  https://OfficialRecords.OsceolaClerk.org/PropertyAlert/

Orange County (Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, )  https://PropertyFraudAlert.com/FlOrange 

 

Tricia Jenkins, Realtor

LPT Realty

LoveAFloridaHome.com