Tool targets property fraud

There’s a free tool available to Indiana residents to help combat property fraud.

Jay County Recorder’s Office recently announced a partnership with Doxpop for its Property Alert service, which lets property owners know any time a document is recorded that references their name or parcels they own.

The announcement comes in response to a press conference hosted by Indiana Recorders Association in January advocating for the program. 

“People are going in, and they’ve got deeds, quitclaim deeds and such, and they are going in and they are recording them with their name on them,” explained Jay County recorder Melanie Upp. “Then the owners of the property don’t realize, they don’t understand this has happened, and so they’re losing their properties.”

Fraud in Indiana can vary in severity between a Level 5 and Level 6 felony, depending on several factors.

To be classified as a Level 5 felony, the victim must be a financial institution, the crime must result in a pecuniary loss of between $50,000 and $100,000 or the pecuniary loss must be at least $750 if the victim is an endangered adult or a person younger than 18. (In Indiana, a Level 5 felony carries between one and six year sentences, with an advisory sentence of three years.)

Despite the punishment, fraud is still an ongoing issue. Elderly property owners or those with lots of properties can be at risk, explained Upp.

She referenced an example shared by the state association about an older woman who spent time in the hospital for an extended period of time.

“When she got out of the hospital and went to go home, it was not her home any longer,” Upp said.

Doxpop provides court documents and other information to the public. Its free Property Alert service allows users to sign up for notifications — options include a text message or email as well as providing information to their county recorder — when their name or property is officially recorded. The alert system serves to quickly alert a property owner to take legal action against property fraud. Simultaneously, it also allows property owners to know when other legitimate documents have been filed in relation to their property.

“Even if it’s you, it’ll send you a text, just so you know that it’s working,” Upp said. 

Property owners can visit watch.doxpop.com to sign up. The process includes searching the property owner’s name, selecting documents with their properties and entering their contact information. It takes less than five minutes, explained Upp.

Free support is also available from the recorder’s office during regular business hours at (260) 726-6940 or from Doxpop at (866) 369-7671. Jay County residents without internet or email access are also welcome to register in person at the recorder’s office.

Upp noted several local residents have already signed up for the system.

“It’s just an easy step that you can take to protect yourself and what you have,” Upp said. “This isn’t 100%, but by golly it sure helps.”