How Montgomery County is trying to prevent people from literally having their homes stolen

Montgomery County has introduced a new plan to protect homeowners from property fraud. SUBMITTED

Montgomery County has introduced a new plan to protect homeowners from property fraud. SUBMITTED

Since 2017, schemers have tried a dozen times to take ownership of someone else’s home or business in Montgomery County through property title fraud.

But a new Montgomery County service will alert property owners when someone tinkers with a deed, mortgage or lien on a parcel.

It can become an expensive and stressful nightmare for rightful property owners, said Montgomery County Recorder Brandon McClain, who debuted the system earlier this month.

“We want to be proactive in preventing title fraud, rather than reactive and only responding after the initial owner finds out they are in deep trouble,” McClain said. “Our homes are our most valuable investment and we need to work together to protect them.”

Here are the five steps to sign up for Montgomery County’s Fraud Alert Notification System (FAN).

1. Visit the FAN System link on the left side of the

Montgomery County Recorder's Office website at www.mcrecorder.org/

2. Search property by parcel, owner or address

3. Select desired property you intend to be notified

about by the Montgomery County Recorder's Office

4. Fill out the required contact information

5. Maintain your email to make room for

FAN System notifications

Typically, an individual with fraudulent intent works with a notary to forge a deed unknown to the homeowner. The deed is then used as collateral in a loan and when the individual defaults on the loan, the lender comes after the initial homeowner, according to the recorder’s office.

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