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Jennings County recorder presents EquityProtect property-fraud service; commissioners table decision
Summary
The county recorder presented a vendor-backed property-fraud protection service (EquityProtect via CSI) that would cost the county a $3,000 startup and $1,000 annual fee while offering discounted subscription options to property owners; commissioners tabled the proposal for further review.
Mary, Jennings County’s recorder, presented a proposal to subscribe to EquityProtect — a property-fraud protection service offered in partnership with CSI, the county’s case-management vendor. Mary said the county-facing costs spelled out in vendor materials are a $3,000 one-time startup fee and a $1,000 annual program fee, and that participating property owners would see a vendor-listed $14.99 one-time start charge and a $149.99 annual subscription.
Why it matters: Mary told the commission she’s seen a rise in filings that meet formal record-keeping requirements but include falsified or illegible data, and that the recorder’s office lacks authority to refuse recording when required fields are supplied. "We do not have the authority to say we're not gonna report it," Mary said, arguing a proactive alerting tool could help property owners detect suspicious activity earlier than existing after-the-fact services.
A CSI representative, identified in the meeting as Kevin, described the product as property-based rather than name-based and said it includes an insurance component to cover legal costs if a fraudulent transfer occurs. "This is revolutionary," Kevin told commissioners, adding the service can act like a "property lock" and provide a monthly statement that scans listing sites and other public marketplaces for unauthorized listings.
Commissioners pressed for clarification on pricing and scope. One commissioner asked whether the consumer price covers multiple parcels owned by the same person; the vendor replied that a single subscription can cover multiple parcels for a farm or multi-parcel owner. The vendor also described a larger ecosystem product called "Aware," shown at a roughly $10,000 retail price, and said county partners may receive integration advantages through vendor relationships.
Outcome: After questions from commissioners and staff, a commissioner moved and the board voted to table further action on the EquityProtect proposal until the next meeting; no contract was approved. The chair urged residents to remain vigilant about fraud and supported further review of the proposed service.
What’s next: The EquityProtect packet and contract materials will remain under review and return to the commission at a future meeting for additional consideration and potential action.
