Cass County launches free property fraud alert service

Cass County residents now have a new tool to help protect themselves against property fraud, thanks to a free alert service being rolled out by the Cass County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office.

The service, called Property Fraud Alert, notifies residents whenever a document is filed in their name or associated with their property — a proactive step to prevent “house stealing,” a form of real estate fraud where criminals use stolen identities to illegally transfer property ownership.

“This service is about protecting our citizens’ most valuable assets,” said Monica McMichael, Cass County Clerk/Register. “With Property Fraud Alert, residents can rest easy knowing they’ll be immediately informed of any suspicious activity involving their property.”

The system provides real-time notifications by email, phone, or text whenever a document is recorded that matches a subscriber’s name. It monitors public records continuously, giving property owners a chance to investigate and respond quickly if any unauthorized activity occurs.

Key features of the program include:

• Immediate alerts for recorded documents tied to a user’s name or property.
• Automatic tracking of public records to detect suspicious changes.
• Free and easy sign-up, either online or in person at the Clerk/Register’s Office.

Enrollment is available now at www.propertyfraudalert.com/select. Residents needing assistance can also call the service’s toll-free number at 800-728-3858 to register by phone.

“Preventing fraud starts with awareness,” McMichael said. “This is one more step we’re taking to give our residents peace of mind.”