Marion County recorder warns homeowners about quitclaim-deed scams, offers free fraud alerts

Faith Kimbrough, Marion County Recorder, told the HOPE Team on Tuesday that the recorder's office is the local repository for property transactions and a frontline defense against title fraud. "My office holds public records of property transactions such as lien, deeds, mortgages, and more," Kimbrough said, explaining that those public filings are what enable property sales and transfers. She urged homeowners to sign up for the office's free property-fraud alert, which notifies owners when a document bearing their name is recorded.

Kimbrough detailed common scam tactics she's seen: bad actors submitting quitclaim deeds or other rushed documents and recording them without notarization or owner consent. She said the office does not verify identity at recording, so the alert is intended as an early warning. "If someone comes in with the quitclaim deed ... we will alert you," she said. Kimbrough also noted veterans can record DD214 military discharge paperwork at no cost and that outreach materials about these services are included with tax-bill mailings and at local events. She answered participants' questions about the difference between squatters and forged deeds, noting squatters are a police matter while fraudulent conveyances require immediate title and law-enforcement follow-up.