A 2-Minute Homeowner To-Do: Sign Up for Free Property Fraud Alerts
There are plenty of homeowner to-dos that take an entire Saturday. This one takes just a few minutes — and it’s absolutely worth knowing about.
Many counties in our area offer free property fraud alert services that notify you when certain documents are recorded using your name or property information.
Think of it as one more way to keep an eye on one of your biggest assets.
What is a property fraud alert?
Property and deed fraud can happen when someone attempts to use another person’s identity or property information to improperly record documents involving a home.
These county alert systems are designed to give property owners an early warning. Depending on the county, you register your name, property information or parcel ID and receive an email if a matching document is recorded.
For example, Montgomery County’s free service, FraudSleuth, sends an alert shortly after a document matching the information in your profile is recorded with the Recorder of Deeds. The county recommends registering with your Parcel Identification Number because it uniquely identifies your property.
One important distinction: these alerts do not prevent someone from filing a fraudulent document. They help you find out quickly if something has been recorded so you can investigate and take action. Montgomery County specifically describes FraudSleuth as an early-warning tool rather than a fraud-prevention guarantee.
Your 2-minute to-do
Find your county below and sign up for its free alert service. If you own more than one property, check the individual county's instructions for monitoring each one.
Montgomery County, PA — FraudSleuth
Property owners can create a free FraudSleuth profile through the county's Public Access System. The county recommends using your Parcel ID when setting up your alert.
Sign up through Montgomery County
Bucks County, PA — Fraud Alert System
Bucks County offers its fraud alert system free to residents. Those who register receive an email when a document is recorded against the name they've registered.
Sign up through Bucks County
Chester County, PA — Fraud Notify
Chester County's free Fraud Notify service allows property owners to register information including names and a UPI number and receive automated email notifications of potentially relevant recorded activity.
Sign up through Chester County
Delaware County, PA — Property Alert
Sign up through Delaware County
Philadelphia — Deed Fraud Guard
Philadelphia property owners can register for Deed Fraud Guard for free. Once registered, you'll receive an email when a document is recorded using the name you've registered.
Sign up through the City of Philadelphia
Not sure where to find your property information?
This is exactly the kind of little homeowner task that's easy to put off because you don't know where to find a parcel number or what information you're supposed to enter.
Send us a message. We're happy to help you find the property information you need so you can get registered.
It takes just a few minutes, it's free, and then you can cross one more homeowner to-do off the list.
The Pitkow Team | Compass
Your home matters. How you get there does too.
