Shelby County Recorder working to stifle potential title fraud

Shelby County Recorder Jessica Pile is trying to prevent title fraud before local residents are affected.

Working in conjunction with the county’s Land Records Management System and EquityProtect, Pile is trying to create a protection system that stops title fraud before it occurs.

“Property fraud is on the rise in the state of Indiana, nationwide as well as very suspicious (things) here in Shelby County,” said Pile while speaking Monday morning at the Shelby County Commissioners meeting. “Fraudulent owners are trying to list properties for sale. I had some realtors reach out to me that it's happening right here in Shelby County.”

Pile recently sent out a letter to residents with properties deemed at an increased risk for deed fraud. Properties at high risk include those that are vacant, have little or no money owed on them, owned by an out-of-state landowner, rental properties, raw farmland, and properties owned by senior citizens.

“Deceased property owners are the No. 1 target. There is no one to protect the property,” said Pile (photo).

EquityProtect is offering Shelby County residents a free monitoring service. In addition, the company offers patented technology to “freeze” your home’s title and require direct authorization from you before any financial transaction can occur.

EquityProtect is currently offering county residents an $85 discount off the first year of protection.

Pile’s concern is her office does not have the legislative power to stop a fraudulent transaction if all the paperwork looks legitimate.

“We cannot stop a document that meets state statute recording requirements from being recorded,” she said.

The commissioners made it clear at Monday’s meeting that local government is not entered into a service contract with EquityProtect and will not receive payment other than a typical $25 fee assigned to a Recorder’s office transaction.

“The county does not pay for this service. They (EquityProtect) do not pay us,” said Pile. “The only money the county received is if someone chooses to go with this insurance policy, they do record their voluntary lien in our office. EquityProtect takes care of that. The county does receive the $25 recording fee the same as if somebody wants to put their own lien against the property.

“When it puts the voluntary lien on public record, when a fraudster targets a property, they will do a title search. They are going to look at public record to see if there are any liens against the property, who the owners are, to see what information they need to carry forward with property fraud. They will see this lien, this agreement with EquityProtect as an insurance policy, which makes the property less appealing.”

Commissioner Nathan Runnebohm asked about the number of property fraud cases in Shelby County in recent years. Pile confirmed she had talked with prosecutor Brad Landwerlen that no property fraud cases have appeared locally.

For questions about property fraud or to discuss EquityProtect’s services, contact Pile at 317-392-6370.

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