County recorder alerted to possible title-theft listings; staff recommends owners contact attorney and recorder

County staff alerted the committee to reports that one or more county properties were listed for sale online without the owners’ authorization and urged property owners to verify listings with the recorder and consult an attorney.

A staff member said this was the second report in about 30 days of a property allegedly being marketed without owner consent. The staff member gave an example: 2002 North County Highway 30 in Gilman was listed online; the owner contacted realtor Jerry Kratzke of Farm and Lakehouse's real estate, who removed the listing. The staff member said she would share parcel numbers and follow up with other county assessors to determine if similar incidents are occurring elsewhere.

Committee members suggested public outreach to warn residents about possible title-fraud schemes and recommended property owners contact the recorder and an attorney if they see suspicious listings. The committee did not take formal action but asked staff to continue gathering information and consider a public-service announcement.