Property deed fraud occurs when scammers record fraudulent documents, such as a deed transferring ownership or a deed of trust using your property as collateral for a loan, without your knowledge. These scams often target individuals who have paid off their mortgage and own their property or land outright, but anyone can be a victim.
While there is no way to fully prevent fraudulent filings, the County offers a free Property Notification Alert system that can help you detect suspicious activity quickly. The service notifies Union County property owners by email if a document is recorded in the Register of Deeds office that includes the owner’s registered name. These documents could include:
- A deed that changes ownership of the property.
- A deed of trust related to a mortgage using the property as security for a loan.
- Other instruments that can be filed related to your property.
If an instrument is recorded in your name, the system sends you an alert with the book and page of the filing. While the alert itself cannot stop the transaction, it can give you the opportunity to act quickly if the filing is fraudulent. If you receive an alert, contact the Union County Register of Deeds office immediately to confirm the next steps. If fraud is suspected, the office will work with you to connect your claims to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
"Our top priority is to protect the integrity of property records in Union County,” said Crystal Gilliard, Union County Register of Deeds. “While we can’t stop a fraudulent document from being recorded if it meets legal requirements, we can give property owners the tools to catch it quickly. This free service is an important safeguard that every property owner should use, so please take the time and sign up.”
