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Property Fraud Alert

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller of Seminole County is pleased to offer a free service to alert property homeowners to potential fraud. Property Fraud Alert is an online subscription service FREE to the public that allows you to have a name or names monitored with the Official Records office in order to track possible fraudulent recordings that affect your property. With Property Fraud Alert, subscribers can sign up and be notified when the name they have submitted is used in any recording activities within the Official Records office.  Click here to sign up for PFA and be comforted knowing that you are taking the first steps in protecting your most valuable asset, your home.

What is Property Fraud?

According to the FBI, property and mortgage fraud is the fastest growing white-collar crime in the United States. Scammers file fake deeds, making it appear as if they own homes that are not actually theirs for financial gain. This occurs when a fraudulent document is drawn up in your name in an attempt to illegally acquire your property.

Property Fraud Alert (PFA) is a free service to help you protect your property from fraud by monitoring the documents being recorded in the Official Records of the Seminole County Clerk’s Office.

Protect Yourself with Property Fraud Alert for Free

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Seminole County has partnered with Alliance Renewable Technologies, to offer the public a place to register for FREE Property Fraud Alerts! Register to receive free alerts when a deed, mortgage, or other documents are recorded with our Official Records office using your name or your business name.

If you receive an alert about activity not initiated by you, this early notification can provide valuable time to stop criminals in their tracks.

Click here to sign up for PFA and be comforted knowing that you are taking the first steps in protecting your most valuable asset, your home.

** Your information will not be sold or used for proprietary purposes.

If You Receive an Alert

  • If a document is recorded that matches your monitoring criteria, you will receive an alert within 48 hours.
  • The alert will provide you with a document number, which is the Clerk Instrument Number.  Click on the link and it will bring you to our website for you to view the document.
  • For assistance, please contact the Clerk’s Official Records Department at (407) 665-4405.
  • If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, contact law enforcement and/or legal counsel.

Reviewing your property records is an important way to protect yourself from fraud. Don’t delay, sign up today!

Change or Cancel Your Subscription

All features of the Property Fraud Alert website have been verified to work with the following browsers:

  • Chrome – all versions
  • Firefox – all versions
  • Internet Explorer – version 9 or greater

You may repeat the process to monitor additional names or may cancel your Property Fraud Alerts subscription at any time.   If you entered an email address, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.


Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to protect myself from property fraud?

  • Check the Official Records using the Records Search to see what documents are recorded under your name.
  • Sign up for Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s free Property Fraud Alert for automated email alerts when your name is added to the Official Records index.
  • If your property is vacant, check often to make sure it is not occupied illegally.
  • Ask someone you trust to look after your property if you are away for an extended period of time.
  • Do not let mail pile up when out of town.
  • Make sure the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices have the correct mailing address for you or the person who should receive notices about your property.

Why do fraudulent documents get recorded?

The Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller must record all documents that meet the requirements outlined in the Florida Statues. The Clerk has no authority to refuse to record a properly prepared document, even if it may be fraudulent.

If a document is proven fraudulent, can it be removed from the Official Records?

No document can be removed from the Official Records without a court order. Therefore, citizens are urged to contact local law enforcement and/or an attorney for prompt, appropriate action if fraud is suspected.

What should I do if I think I may be the victim of property fraud?

Contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office at 407-665-6650 and/or your attorney or legal advisor.

Neither the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Property Appraiser, or Tax Collector offices can take legal action on your behalf to reverse the fraudulent activity.

What is the Property Fraud Alert?

Property Fraud Alert is a free service offered by the Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller that alerts citizens via email when a document is recorded in their name.

How does the Property Fraud Alert work?

On the Property Fraud Alert sign up page, you may enter up to five name variations per email address. When a document is recorded into the Official Records of Seminole County with a name that is being monitored, an email will automatically be sent to the provided email address.

What documents will I be notified about through the Property Fraud Alert?

The Property Fraud Alert alerts you to newly recorded documents only, i.e. documents recorded after you have signed up. To search documents already recorded under your name, click here.

How do I edit the names being monitored?

To edit the names you are monitoring, you would make the changes in the Property Fraud system.

Is my Property Fraud Alert registration subject to public records law?

Yes, email addresses and names used in registrations for the Recording Notification Service are subject to public disclosure per Florida public records law.

Can I unsubscribe from the Property Fraud Alert?

You can unsubscribe any of your names by selecting the “unsubscribe” option next to them (indicated with a red X) in the Property Fraud system.

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