Palm Beach County clerk warns Wellington residents about scams, urges sign‑up for Property Fraud Alert

Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Mike Caruso urged Wellington residents at the April 14 Village Council meeting to sign up for a free alert system that notifies property owners of activity on their deeds or title records.

Caruso described modern scams as ‘‘trained professionals’’ who use public records and scripted urgency to trick victims into paying via credit card or giving personal data. He said the Federal Trade Commission estimates billions in annual losses and that Florida ranks first per capita for reported scams. ‘‘When in doubt, don’t give your info out,’’ Caruso told the council and audience and recommended residents register at mypalmbeachclerk.com/pfa to receive immediate email notifications about any recorded activity on their property.

The clerk’s office outlined steps to take if a title action appears: call the clerk’s office, file a police report, visit the clerk’s office to apply for a quiet‑title action and follow instructions to lock down the property while the matter is resolved. Caruso said the office will help with paperwork and that residents may add multiple email addresses (spouse, attorney, CPA) for notifications.

Caruso also described common scam scripts—fake traffic citations, jury‑duty warrants, or fake court calls—and urged residents to hang up if asked for credit‑card information. He said the clerk’s office is advocating for additional legal tools and said he will return to the legislature seeking more authority to block property‑theft schemes.

The clerk’s presentation stressed prevention and quick response: sign up for Property Fraud Alert, keep contact information current with the clerk’s office and contact law enforcement immediately for suspected title theft.