Kent County offering free property transaction alerts

Published on June 20, 2023

By Craig Anderson,  "Delaware State News"

Kent County Recorder of Deeds Eugenia Thornton announced Tuesday the availability of free software alerting citizens when their names are part of property transactions.

“Statistically rare, property theft is still devastating,” she said, “With ever-increasing cyberthreats, better safe than sorry.”

She added, “In all likelihood, the email alerts will be for expected recordings, but (the registration is) free, so why take chances?”

The recorder of deeds hopes all property owners sign up, even those who aren’t considered “high-risk,” like older adults and absentee residents.

“This software allows my office to be transparent to homeowners as to when we record their documents,” she said. “Transparency in government is always a good thing.”

Ms. Thornton said the service performs like those advertised on TV and radio, “but it’s faster, better and cheaper because it will notify in less than one week and is free.”

She noted that there are many methods of property theft.

“One variant is identity theft combined with exploiting the home’s equity. Thieves get the money; the unfortunate owner gets the payment requests,” Ms. Thornton said.

This type of crime has been around for at least 15 years, first identified in the FBI publication, “House Stealing: The Latest Scam on the Block.” The Secret Service warned of new type in March, called “seller impersonation,” Ms. Thornton said.

“Seller impersonation hurts both owner and buyer,” she said. “Cyberthieves target vacant homes or lots, houses without mortgages and senior citizens. It starts with a fake ID and ends with online rentals or sales, where parties don’t interact face-to-face.”

She said the older population is the most at risk for property fraud.

“They tend to be the least savvy on internet scams because they tend to trust strangers and are unfamiliar with technology. They tend to own homes without mortgages. They make very desirable targets for cybercriminals,” she said.

Ms. Thornton also warned about potential out-of-state transactions.

“Buyer beware when a property is listed at a bargain price by a ‘seller’ who is out of state or even out of the country. Online real estate listings, quick closings, cash sales and a seller who is not reachable except through email or text should send up big red flares to potential buyers,” she added.

Further, according to the American Land Title Association, victims may not learn of a problem for years, due to the types of people and land targeted.

“While property cannot be ‘stolen’ through fraud if buyers make improvements to properties not legally theirs, things get very expensive and time-consuming for everyone involved,” Ms. Thornton said.

There is some good news: According to the recorder of deeds, our state fares better than most because, by law, Delaware attorneys perform closings.

Even so, she said, if any document is fake, the deed is fraudulent. Examples include court orders obtained under false premise, notaries or powers of attorney not legally empowered, realistic-looking fake documents, forged signatures and fake IDs.

“We receive most of our documents electronically, (but) these are public records that fraudsters already know how to access,” she said. “Now, (with this software,) property owners will possess the same knowledge as thieves. Your documents are safer with your involvement.”

To register for the alerts, visit pfa.uslandrecords.com. An unlimited number of names can be entered, and names can be changed at any time. To learn more, contact recorder@kentcountyde.gov or call 302-744-2321.

In addition, Ms. Thornton said she is available to speak to any interested civic association. To schedule a visit, contact her office.