Register of Deeds
Property Fraud Alert
The Ottawa County Register of Deeds, in partnership with Fidlar Software, is pleased to announce a FREE on-line subscription service to Ottawa County property owners to aid in fighting property and mortgage fraud. Property Fraud Alert provides property owners the ability to have their names monitored within the Register of Deeds office in order to track possible fraudulent activity. Subscribers are notified (by e-mail or phone) only when the name that they have submitted is used in any land record recording activities within the office.
Protecting consumers’ information and real property are top priorities for the Register of Deeds office. This requires more education and vigilance than at any time in the past. Instances of fraud and identity theft continue to rise. The FBI has stated that property fraud (illegally using another’s property for financial gain) is the fastest growing white-collar crime in the nation. While Property Fraud Alert does not prevent fraud from happening, it will provide an early warning system that will allow you to take appropriate action if you deem fraudulent activity may have occurred.
When submitting your name, using fewer letters will yield broader notification results if something is recorded. For example:
*Name: Doe, John
*Enter it as: Doe, J
The shorter version will cover different name variations such as John, Jon, or Jonathan.
We are committed to bringing the best services possible to our constituents and are excited about the value this offering will bring. Property Fraud Alert is now available by subscription on the web or by calling 1-800-728-3858.
Your security does matter!
