Lake County ‘Property Check’ program protects residents from mortgage fraud
November 12, 2021
LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- With a nationwide uptick in mortgage fraud, Lake County is reminding residents of its free protection service.
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According to the FBI, property and mortgage fraud is the fastest growing white-collar crime.
“There are mechanisms where someone can have their property taken away from them without their knowledge, without their signature or their approval,” said Cynthia Pruim Haran, Chief Deputy of the Lake County Recorder of Deeds Office.
That’s why Lake County is working to protect its residents with the Property Check program.
“Our residents, or anyone who has property in Lake County, Illinois can sign up for this free service,” said Haran.
“They enter their names and property addresses and any time a document is recorded that matches any of that information, they will receive a text and/or email alert.”
Those documents include deeds, mortgages or a lien placed against a person’s home. The program was first introduced in 2015 and so far, roughly 12,000 Lake County residents are enrolled.
Haran told WBBM there haven’t been any reports of fraudulent activity within the county, but it has made residents more aware of what’s recorded against them.
“One of the things we highlight the most is to really urge homeowners and property owners once or twice a year to either come into our office or call our office or go online and search your property,” she said.
“Don't wait until you're selling your property to make sure there's no liens against you or that everything's in the correct order.”
Residents can sign up for Property Check atwww.lakecountyil.gov/2350/Property-Check.
