St. Louis County launches free property fraud alert service

DULUTH — The St. Louis County Recorder's department now offers Property Watch — a free service that notifies owners if their property is targeted by fraudsters.

Those who sign up for the service will receive an automated email alert when a document is recorded using their name or property tax identification number.

Mary Garness, St. Louis County’s director of public records and property valuation, said people would receive a notice if someone tries to convey, sell or buy their property. They would also receive an alert if there were new liens or other encumbrances against their property.

“Where this is particularly important is if there's something that a property owner is not aware of that is happening, and they can respond quickly,” Garness said.

This can occur in cases of deed fraud, when scammers forge ownership documents that falsely suggest property was sold or transferred to a scammer.

There have been no reported instances of deed fraud in St. Louis County to date. However, cases in other places have made headlines in recent months, prompting the Recorder’s department to implement Property Watch.

The service isn’t meant to stop scammers.

“While it's not a fraud prevention mechanism, it provides the ability for residents to understand, be informed and to respond if they're concerned about a transaction," Garness said.

Property owners can sign up for Property Watch online, or visit any of the St. Louis County's Recorder's offices in Duluth, Virginia, Hibbing, Ely or Cook for in-person assistance.

Stella Mayerhoff is a Report for America corps member, covering Minnesota’s headwaters region for KAXE in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.