Rensselaer County offers online tool to fight deed theft Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. Rensselaer County now has a free online tool to help protect homeowners from deed theft. It's a growing problem across the country. If criminals file fake or forged deeds for your property, you might not even know about it. They can then do things like sell it, take out a mortgage, or even rent it. Rensselaer County is offering a free online fraud alert. “They'll notify you if anything comes across the counter with your name on it, so it's a great service for the people of Rensselaer County, and the great part is it doesn't cost us anything and doesn't cost the individual a penny,” said Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola. All you have to do is put in your email address and one to three names. You'll get an email alert when a document like a deed or mortgage is recorded in your name at the county clerk's office– the earlier, the better. “Much different if somebody comes in and records a mortgage on a piece of property that you own, and nine months down the road you come in and find out there's a recording on there and you've got a mortgage,” said Merola. Warren County has a similar system. A new state law making deed theft a crime just went into effect in July. It's now a form of grand larceny. It also gives homeowners more time to seek justice. Anyone can be a victim, but popular targets are empty properties, those in foreclosure, or the owner has died. In New York recently, prosecutors say deed theft rings have made a lot of money by selling homes using falsified and forged documents, unbeknownst to their rightful owners. Rensselaer County has been hit, too. “We have,” said Merola. “A few years ago, I think it was about eight years ago now, an individual took some property, foreclosed property, came in, put them in a trust, five or six properties in Rensselaer County. He wound up getting convicted and serving time for that.” If someone does file a phony title, experts say you probably have to get an attorney, preferably one with a real estate specialty, and file a complaint with law-enforcement because deed theft is now a form of grand larceny. Here's a link to the Rensselaer County Fraud Alert: https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYREN
Kumi Tucker is an anchor at WNYT NewsChannel 13, where she leads the news coverage on weekends. With a diverse background that includes experience in security and law enforcement, as well as a focus on social issues such as Roe v. Wade and abortion, Kumi brings a well-rounded perspective to her reporting. She has also been featured in various segments that explore regional interests, events, and the hospitality sector.