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Recorder's office asks Clayton residents to enroll in county deed-fraud alert program
Summary
Kate Baker, representing Montgomery County Recorder Lori Kennedy, urged Clayton residents to sign up for a deed-fraud alert program and described the county's transfer-on-death and veteran ID services.
Kate Baker, the grama coordinator for Montgomery County Recorder Lori Kennedy, addressed the Clayton City Council on Oct. 7 to explain the county's deed-fraud alert program and other recorder services and urged residents to enroll.
Baker said the recorder's office has observed deed-fraud activity across Ohio and asked residents to sign up for the county's fraud-alert program, available by paper form or a QR code in the office brochure. "Someone falsely takes action against your mortgage or your deed and they take your home from you with a false notary," Baker said. "In a stroke of a pen, your home could be gone."
Baker described the recorder's current procedures for screening quit-claim deeds and other instruments: offices open and inspect mail with the auditor's office, verify preparer's statements and marital status, confirm notary stamps are unexpired and verify notaries are in good standing with the state. She said the office mails recordings the day after they are secured and is adding technology, including planned text alerts by the end of the year.
She also outlined the recorder's transfer-on-death document, which allows property to pass directly to a designated heir without probate and costs filing fees the recorder cited at roughly $39 for the first page and about $9 for a second page (plus recording fees on death). Baker contrasted those costs with typical attorney and probate expenses. The recorder's office also offers a free veteran ID recording service (bring a DD214) and plans an outreach event on Nov. 13 in Spinning Hills at the VFW/American Legion where vendors may offer discounts to veterans who obtain an ID.
Baker left brochures and encouraged Clayton to promote enrollment. She said the program is available across Montgomery County and that other counties may have similar services under different names.
The council's clerk noted the recorder's materials were provided to council and the public, and Baker answered procedural questions about enrollment and contact information for follow-up.
