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Moore County register of deeds warns of deed and mortgage fraud, offers recording-notification service
Summary
William Britain, Moore County register of deeds, told a senior-audience that deed and mortgage recording fraud is rising and encouraged residents to sign up for a recording-notification service that alerts property owners when documents are filed in their name. He described limits to blocking filings under state law.
William Britain, Moore County register of deeds, told attendees at the Scam Jam that the county offers a recording-notification service that alerts property owners when new deeds or mortgages are filed in their name.
"That notification will come to you and then you can contact us," Britain said, explaining the service is intended to give property owners early warning so county staff can coordinate with the tax office, investigators and other agencies to remediate fraudulent filings.
Britain described examples of fraud his office has handled, including a case where people paid roughly $175,000 in what turned out to be a fraudulent transaction that left a mortgage recorded against the victim’s property. He said fraud often targets vacant land and that filings meeting the state’s statutory standards generally must be accepted by the register’s office.
"By state law, if it comes in by law and it comes in and fits the standards...we are bound by law to have to take it without question," Britain said, noting the county cannot unilaterally refuse a document that meets recording requirements. He described administrative follow-up steps the office takes — contacting the Secretary of State about suspect notaries, working with the tax office to prevent wrongful transfer of tax bills, and coordinating with investigators to open inquiries.
Britain urged property owners to sign up for the recording notification (forms available at the register’s office or via a QR code provided at the meeting) and to consider title insurance while noting title policies vary in coverage. He said the county is exploring adding mailed notices or a text-message layer to improve early detection but that legal and budgetary constraints complicate system-wide changes.
Next steps and resources: attendees were told staff at the register’s table could sign residents up for the notification service; the register’s office will coordinate with sheriff’s investigators and the tax office when fraud is reported.
