· Yahoo News (local newspaper syndication)
Crawford County Offers Free Alerts When Property Records Change
Crawford County property owners can now sign up for a free service that tells them when changes are recorded on their land. The Register and Recorder Office, led by Marlo Urey, has launched the new Landex Record Alert system, according to a report syndicated by Yahoo News.
How the alert system works
The system notifies owners when a change is recorded on their parcels. Urey said an alert goes out the day after a recording is verified. The service costs nothing to use.
Urey was clear about the limits of the tool. It will not prevent fraud. Instead, it gives owners a chance to respond right away if a fraudulent document is recorded against their property.
Why the county acted
The office receives calls nearly every day from property owners worried about scams that could target their homes or other real estate. Urey said calls seem to have increased after news in August of an alleged scheme in Allegheny County. In that case, two men were charged with using falsified documents to transfer and gain control of more than 40 properties.
Urey said she is not aware of any land-records fraud in Crawford County.
Why it matters to homeowners
Most people only look at their property records when they buy, sell or refinance. That can leave a long gap in which an unauthorized filing might go unnoticed. A notification the day after a recording is verified shortens that gap, which can make it easier to contact the county and authorities quickly.
What you can do
- Sign up for alerts if your county offers them. In Crawford County, the Landex Record Alert system is free.
- Check your county recorder's website to see what documents are on file for your property.
- Act quickly on unexpected notices. If you get an alert for a filing you don't recognize, contact the recorder's office right away.
- Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement if something looks wrong.
- Watch your mail for unexpected letters about your property, your mortgage or your taxes.
- Keep contact information current so alerts and county notices reach you.