OCEAN COUNTY – Property mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and officials are urging residents to sign up for the Property Alert Service offered by the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.
The free program, first introduced in 2016, offers an added layer of security when it comes to property protection, according to Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella. It provides property owners with email alerts anytime a document affecting a specific property is recorded by the Ocean County Clerk’s Office.
Colabella told the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, “this helps our property owners to guard against fraud. This type of fraud is a nationwide problem.”
“Scammers record fraudulent documents like fake deeds or record fake liens against property owners. In some instances, fraud on real property is not discovered for years. To address these concerns and protect one of the most important assets a person has, my office has been offering this free service that immediately notifies you by email whenever a document with your name is recorded in the County Clerk’s Office,” the Clerk added.
Berkeley Township Councilman John A. Bacchione recently told the County Commissioners there was growing concern in his township over this type of fraud being committed in particular because of the large number of seniors living there.
Bacchione said he was providing seniors in the township with information on the Property Alert Service. “Our seniors are probably the most targeted.”
Colabella noted that last year, his office recorded more than 131,000 documents including 24,000 deeds and 26,000 mortgages. “We have a dedicated staff that makes certain the paper work is in order.”
“However, we are not investigators or detectives and based on the volume of deeds and mortgages recorded monthly, it’s not impossible for some items to be potentially fraudulent. By signing up for the property alert service, you will be notified by email whenever a document is recorded affecting your property,” Colabella added.
“You can review the record to determine if it’s correct or if it’s fraudulent,” he said. “It adds some peace of mind for our property owners.”
“It’s as simple as registering your name or business name and your email address and you will be automatically notified electronically if a document is recorded with your name,” Colabella added, noting that about 4,000 property owners have signed up for the service.
Colabella stressed that identity theft is a growing consumer complaint and property fraud which is a form of identity theft is on the rise. “While this service can’t prevent fraud, it’s important to be notified early that someone may be trying to steal your property without your knowledge.”
He added that the only time recordings can be refused is when statutory guidelines are not met. “As long as a document meets statutory recording guidelines, New Jersey law requires the Clerk’s Office to record the document. I am pleased we offer this program to help our constituents detect information that may be fraudulent.”
To sign up for the program visit countyclerkpas.co.ocean.nj.us/PropertyAlert/ and follow the steps outlined on the page.
