Property fraud prevention program to launch
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a new pilot program designed to combat property fraud.
HB 1419, an effort initiated by Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes and local lawmakers, makes it harder to file fraudulent deeds in Lee County. The “Title Fraud Prevention Through Identity Verification Pilot Program” will go into effect on July 1. It authorizes the Lee County Clerk to pilot the program for two years and build out how the process may work for other counties.
“Nobody should be able to steal your property and get away with it,” Karnes said. “This law creates new requirements when recording deeds in Lee County to deter thieves from targeting property owners. After two years, I will present a formal recommendation to legislators on whether the program could be expanded to all 67 Clerks statewide.”
The new property fraud prevention program will require anyone who records a deed at the Lee County Clerk’s office to present a government-issued photo ID before the deed is processed. This will make it easier for law enforcement to verify the identity of the parties engaged in a property-related transaction and investigate fraudulent activity more thoroughly.
The new program will be rolled out in phases. The public is encouraged to visit www.leeclerk.org before attempting to file a deed. The most up-to-date requirements will be posted on the homepage.
Property owners are also encouraged to sign up for the Lee Clerk’s Property Fraud Alert service, which notifies property owners when a deed, mortgage or other document with their name has been recorded. To learn more and register, visit www.leeclerk.org/fraudalert.