Register O’Donnell Announces Consumer Notification Service

Norfolk Registry of Deeds SealNorfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell today announced the establishment of a free on-line Consumer Notification Service to protect Norfolk County property owners against potential property fraud.

“The F.B.I. has reported that property and mortgage fraud is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in America. Many jurisdictions across the country have reported individuals recording fraudulent documents making it look like they own another person’s home or property. While we have been fortunate that this problem has not manifested itself in Norfolk County, I want to make sure my office is out in front of this issue,” noted Register O’Donnell.

Any owner of real property in any of the twenty-eight communities comprising Norfolk County can sign-up for the Consumer Notification Service free of charge by doing the following: From the Registry’s website, www.norfolkdeeds.org, click on the button Consumer Notification Alerts to complete initial registration. From there, follow the remaining sign-up instructions. Once you have signed up for the service, each subscriber will be able to input two names, individual or business, and the corresponding city or town in Norfolk County for monitoring. They could monitor their real estate for liens, deeds, homesteads that might be recorded against the property.

If a document is recorded against one of the names inputted for monitoring, the subscriber will be alerted via email. If a subscriber believes a fraudulent land record has been recorded against their property, they would then immediately contact the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Customer Service department at (781) 461-6101. Another option available to those who receive a notification is to consult the Registry’s on-line land research records at www.norfolkresearch.org. The subscriber would also be given by the Registry a list of public safety referrals.

Register O’Donnell concluded, “Part of my job as Register is to provide secure, accurate and accessible land records for all Norfolk County communities. I also want to be proactive in ensuring there is no fraudulent activity related to land document recordings. By offering the Consumer Notification Service, we will be able to provide a layer of protection to the program’s subscribers against unscrupulous individuals who would attempt to commit property and mortgage fraud.”

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, “like” us on facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com @NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web atwww.norfolkdeeds.org.

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