Property Fraud Is on the Rise. Here's How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves.

For most homeowners, their home is their largest financial investment. Unfortunately, it's also becoming a target for an increasingly common type of scam known as property fraud.

The good news? If you own property in Leon County, there's a free tool that can help you catch suspicious activity before it becomes a much bigger problem.

What Is Property Fraud?

Property fraud, sometimes called deed fraud or title fraud, occurs when someone files fraudulent documents that make it appear they own your property. Criminals may attempt to transfer ownership, rent out a vacant home, or even sell property they don't legally own.

While these cases are relatively uncommon, they can be incredibly stressful and expensive to resolve if they go unnoticed.

Leon County Offers a Free Property Fraud Alert Service

The Leon County Clerk of Court provides a free service called Property Fraud Alert to help property owners monitor their real estate records.

Once you're registered, you'll receive an email notification (typically within 24 hours) if a deed or other qualifying document is recorded using your registered name.

While the service doesn't prevent fraud from occurring, it gives you an early warning so you can take action as quickly as possible.

How to Better Protect Your Property

In addition to signing up for Property Fraud Alert, there are several simple steps every property owner should consider:

• Periodically search the Leon County Official Records to review documents recorded under your name.
• Register for the free Property Fraud Alert service.
• If you own vacant property, check on it regularly to ensure it isn't being occupied without your permission.
• If you'll be away for an extended period, ask a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member to keep an eye on your property.
• Avoid letting mail accumulate while you're out of town.
• Make sure both the Leon County Property Appraiser and Leon County Tax Collector have your current mailing address so you receive important notices about your property.

These small steps can help you identify potential issues before they become major legal problems.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Property Fraud?

If you believe someone has fraudulently recorded documents against your property or attempted to steal your title, act immediately.

Contact your local law enforcement agency:

• If the property is located in unincorporated Leon County, contact the Leon County Sheriff's Office at 850-606-3300.
• If the property is located within the City of Tallahassee, contact the Tallahassee Police Department at 850-891-4200.

You should also contact your attorney or another qualified legal advisor for guidance on the next steps.

It's important to understand that the Leon County Clerk of Court, Property Appraiser, and Tax Collector cannot reverse fraudulent filings or provide legal representation. Their role is to maintain public records, not resolve ownership disputes.

Peace of Mind Is Free

Most homeowners never think about deed fraud until they hear about it happening to someone else. Fortunately, registering for Property Fraud Alert only takes a few minutes and doesn't cost anything.

It's one of those simple tasks that hopefully you'll never need, but if suspicious activity ever does occur, you'll be glad you signed up.

Protecting your home isn't just about maintaining it physically. It's also about safeguarding your ownership. Taking advantage of free resources like Property Fraud Alert is an easy way to add another layer of protection for one of your most valuable assets.