Contact: Supervising Deputy D.A. Don Steed (916) 874-5294
District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that the Board of Supervisors
approved a mailing notification contract as part of program to help fight
real estate fraud. Much fraud comes from forged or phony deeds that are file
with the County Recorder’s Office without the homeowner even knowing what
has happened. The new program will send a written packet to every homeowner
whenever a grant deed, deed of trust, or quitclaim deed is recorded on their
property. If the homeowner suspects fraud, there is a telephone hotline and
a website to provide information to authorities.
While there is a significant mailing cost for the plan, the District
Attorney is able to begin this program without any new allocation by the
County, using funds available in the Real Estate Fraud trust fund.
Scully said, “Many times, real estate fraud is done by public recording of
documents, when the property owner is unaware what has happened. This
program will provide them notice, so we can catch the fraud early.”
D.A. Scully noted that Los Angeles County has a similar program, which has
proved effective in both investigating and deterring fraud.
The D.A.’s telephone hotline for real estate fraud is (916) 874-9045.
