Recorder says property‑fraud incidents are increasing; county offers process to remove restrictive covenants

Recorder Lori Gadbois told the Executive Committee on Sept. 17 that property‑fraud activity has increased and that the recorder's office has had a longstanding property‑fraud‑alert program. "It is escalating," Gadbois said, describing escalating national and local attempts to target property records, which in some cases involve electronic signatures and notaries. She said property‑fraud concerns often begin with a property owner raising an alarm; the recorder's office then works with the state's attorney and law enforcement on referrals. Gadbois also discussed the county's response to historically restrictive covenants. She said state legislation and a county resolution allow the recorder's office to work with homeowners to remove old restrictive covenants from the public record, and that the county board had approved that process with no recording fee for homeowners. The recorder welcomed board members to visit her office and noted a recent complimentary letter from an out‑of‑state land surveyor praising staff efficiency. No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; Gadbois asked residents with concerns to bring issues to the recorder's office as the first step in a property‑fraud or covenant review process.