From McHenry County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio:
County Clerk and Recorder Launches New Property Fraud
Referral Process
New process complements existing Property Fraud Alert Program
WOODSTOCK, Ill. The McHenry County Clerk and Recorder’s Office has launched a Fraud Referral and Review process, giving residents a formal way to report suspected deed or title fraud.
This new process complements the existing Property Fraud Alert program.
People enrolled in the free alert program can simply report potential property fraud by calling the Recorder’s Office at 815-334-4110 – cases may then be referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office or other law enforcement agencies for investigation.
“Property fraud can strip families of their most valuable asset and leave them in years of costly legal battles,” County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio said.
“These two programs give McHenry County residents real tools to protect themselves and a direct line to authorities when something is wrong.”
Deed fraud is a serious and growing problem nationwide.
Criminals forge property owners’ signatures to transfer ownership of real estate, then sell the property or use it as loan collateral. Between 2019 and 2023, the FBI documented more than 58,000 victims and roughly $1.3 billion in real estate fraud losses across the country.
Vacant land, investment properties, and paid-off homes are the most common targets.
The existing Property Fraud Alert program is free and easy to use.
Property owners who enroll receive a notification any time a document is recorded in their name with the County Recorder’s Office, allowing them to act quickly if something is unauthorized.
All McHenry County property owners are encouraged to sign up. To enroll, visit www.PropertyFraudAlert.com or contact the Recorder’s Office at 815-334-
4110.
