Monroe County Officials Warn of Fake Vacant Land Listings and Urge Owners to Sign Up for Record Alerts

Monroe County officials are warning property owners about scams involving fraudulent listings for vacant land, according to a report from WBRE/WYOU (2822news.com).

What is happening

The Monroe County Recorder of Deeds says her office is receiving more calls about these fraudulent listings. In the past month, the office received three calls about fake listings for vacant land.

The main worry is timing. These scams can move forward before the real property owner even knows their land is being listed for sale. Because vacant land is often not lived on or checked regularly, an owner may not notice anything is wrong until a deal is already underway.

The county is sharing resources to help people protect themselves.

Why it matters to homeowners

Even if you do not own vacant land, the situation is a reminder that property records and listings can be misused. Owners of empty lots, inherited parcels, or land they hold for the future may be especially exposed, since no one is on site to spot a problem. Catching something early gives you more options to stop it before it causes financial or legal trouble.

Record Alert

The Recorder of Deeds encourages property owners to sign up for a "Record Alert." The service notifies you if a document is submitted for recording with the Recorder of Deeds' office. If someone tries to record a document connected to your property without your knowledge, you would hear about it rather than discovering it later.

What you can do

• Sign up for Record Alert through the Monroe County Recorder of Deeds if you own property in the county. If you own property elsewhere, check whether your county offers a similar alert.
• Search online for your land now and then to see whether it appears in any listings you did not authorize.
• Check your county recorder's website to review the documents on file for your property.
• Watch your mail for unexpected letters, notices, or bills about your property.
• Keep your contact information current with the county so notices reach you.
• Report anything suspicious to the county Recorder of Deeds and to local law enforcement right away.
• Share the information with relatives who own land, especially inherited or rarely visited parcels.

Source: WBRE/WYOU (2822news.com)