JEFFERSON TWP — A Jefferson Township man was at risk of losing his home after two people attempted deed fraud, according to the Montgomery County Recorder.
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News Center 7′s Mason Fletcher spoke with the Montgomery County Recorder about steps they are taking to keep people’s property safe.
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All deed fraud takes is a falsified deed with a forged signature, and someone else can take ownership of your home, without you ever finding out.
“It is absolutely stealing someone’s home,” Montgomery County Recorder Stacey Benson-Taylor said.
When Benson-Taylor started in her position in 2021, she was seeing deed fraud two or three times a month. She says in the past year, it’s become much more common.
The deed fraud case in Jefferson Township was their second case in the township.
“An older gentleman had been suffering from dementia,” Benson-Taylor said.
Someone who knew the man took advantage of his condition and sold his home for just under $120,000.
Benson-Taylor says her office started requiring identification in March, which helped them keep a closer eye on recurring names associated with fraud.
“We have about nine, I believe, on our list that we are keeping track of,” Benson-Taylor said.
Benson-Taylor’s office also started a program in 2018 that sends notifications to homeowners, if their name is on paperwork at the office.
“Any time there is a transaction that occurs, you receive a letter or an email,” Benson-Taylor said. “We are working on text messaging as well.”
To sign up for the notification program, visit your county’s recorder office in person or visit their website.
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