If criminals file fake or forged deeds for your property, you might not even know about it. They can then do things like sell it, take out a mortgage, or even rent it.

Rensselaer County is offering a free online fraud alert.

“They’ll notify you if anything comes across the counter with your name on it, so it’s a great service for the people of Rensselaer County, and the great part is it doesn’t cost us anything and doesn’t cost the individual a penny,” said Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola.

All you have to do is put in your email address and one to three names. You’ll get an email alert when a document like a deed or mortgage is recorded in your name at the county clerk’s office– the earlier, the better.

“Much different if somebody comes in and records a mortgage on a piece of property that you own, and nine months down the road you come in and find out there’s a recording on there and you’ve got a mortgage,” said Merola.

Warren County has a similar system.

A new state law making deed theft a crime just went into effect in July. It’s now a form of grand larceny.

It also gives homeowners more time to seek justice.

Anyone can be a victim, but popular targets are empty properties, those in foreclosure, or the owner has died.

In New York recently, prosecutors say deed theft rings have made a lot of money by selling homes using falsified and forged documents, unbeknownst to their rightful owners.

Rensselaer County has been hit, too.

“We have,” said Merola. “A few years ago, I think it was about eight years ago now, an individual took some property, foreclosed property, came in, put them in a trust, five or six properties in Rensselaer County. He wound up getting convicted and serving time for that.”

If someone does file a phony title, experts say you probably have to get an attorney, preferably one with a real estate specialty, and file a complaint with law-enforcement because deed theft is now a form of grand larceny.

Here’s a link to the Rensselaer County Fraud Alert: https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYREN