08.29.24 Executive, Rep. Cleaver launch Property Fraud Alert program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2024
Jackson County Executive, Rep. Cleaver launch Property Fraud Alert program to protect residents from threat of property fraud
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., along with U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D), proudly announced today the launch of the county’s new Property Fraud Alert Program, a proactive measure to protect residents from the growing threat of property fraud. This free service, available in English and Spanish, will notify property owners whenever a document is recorded with their name or property information, providing an early warning system to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Property fraud, also known as "house stealing," occurs when criminals use fraudulent deeds and other legal documents to claim ownership of someone else's property. This crime can lead to devastating consequences for homeowners, causing financial hardship and stress as they fight to reclaim their property. The Property Fraud Alert Program is designed to help residents stay informed and act quickly to protect their assets.
"Imagine working hard to buy a home, securing a piece of the American dream and building wealth for your family, only to have it taken from you without any warning. It’s a troubling and frightening reality, but today, we’re fighting back,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. “The Property Deed Alert Program will strengthen the safety and security of our residents, enabling them to stay alert, informed and proactive against property fraud. I’m grateful for the efforts of my Administration in making this program a reality and for Congressman Cleaver’s visionary leadership, which highlighted the urgent need for action to protect property rights.”
“Today marks a significant step forward in the region’s ongoing fight against property deed fraud,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I am deeply committed to safeguarding our community from these deceptive practices that undermine the integrity of property ownership, which is why I introduced the Good DEED Act in Congress. Today, I am proud to see the county launching a new Property Fraud Alert program, representing a crucial advancement in the effort to protect homeowners and ensure that our real estate transactions remain secure and transparent. Not only does the establishment of this program reaffirm the county’s commitment to addressing the issue, but it is also a decisive action to preserve trust and protect Jackson County residents from fraud.”
The Property Fraud Alert Program allows residents to receive notifications by phone, email, or text message whenever there is activity involving their property records. By signing up for alerts, property owners can quickly detect and address potential fraud before it escalates.
Residents can enroll in the program today by visiting www.jacksongov.org or by calling 1-800-728-3858. They can register up to three names per phone number or four names per email address, allowing multiple people to receive alerts for the same property.
“Predators often target our most vulnerable homeowners — seniors, absentee property owners and vacant homes,” said Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Director Diana Smith. “So far this year, the Recorder of Deeds Department has received 20 suspicious activity reports. While this number may seem small, even one valid claim can mean that someone’s most valuable asset, their home, is at risk. It can be a complex and challenging process to resolve these situations. That’s why having a program that alerts you immediately when any document is recorded is so critical. It empowers residents to act quickly and, if necessary, report suspected fraud to authorities for prompt investigation and resolution."
The County is proud to partner with Fidlar Technologies, a trusted company that administers this program in nearly 400 counties nationwide, serving over one million subscribers. They provide a dedicated call center for support, so help is always just a phone call away.
"We are excited to be partnering with Jackson County to offer this vital service for their constituents,” said Alex Riggen, Fidlar Technologies President. “By equipping local communities with early alerts on potential property fraud, Jackson County can help protect residents' homes, provide peace-of-mind and an added layer of security against emerging threats."
Jackson County is the 25th county in Missouri to implement the Property Fraud Alert program. The information provided by residents is kept safe and secure and won’t be used for any reason other than notifying them of recordings. If residents have questions, they can contact Property Fraud Alert at 1-800-728-3858.
Document Recording in Jackson County
Pursuant to State law, the Jackson County Recorder of Deeds Department, upon payment of the proper fees and taxes, must accept and record any document that conforms to legal requirements. In the case of a deed, the recording office will typically ensure that the deed is properly acknowledged by a notary and is compliant with recording requirements set forth by law.
The County Recorder is not responsible for verifying the validity, authenticity or legitimacy of the document that is recorded. If the document meets recording requirements, and the proper fees are submitted, the County Recorder is obligated to and will record the document.
Fraudsters continue to exploit the lack of true safeguards or deterrents against recording illegitimate deeds on property. Victims who are most targeted include the elderly, low-income minority homeowners, or those with vacant or already-distressed properties.
If someone suspects they are a victim of fraud, they can take these actions:
- Search Online Public Records. Visit jacksongov.org and click “Search Public Records” on the home page to find the most current deed on a property.
- Print and Report to Police. If you suspect a fraudulent deed has been recorded, print the document from the county’s website and report it to the local police station where the property is located. This is strongly encouraged so victims can follow-up and receive any available investigative updates.
- Call Recorder of Deeds. Victims can report a potential fraudulent document by calling the Recorder of Deeds Department at (816) 881-4483 and it will be forwarded to law enforcement for investigation. The Recorder of Deeds Department does not investigate fraud claims, follow-up on such claims or receive status updates on investigations.
- Hire an Attorney: Victims can consult with an attorney to assist with navigating the process.