Although property fraud has become a growing concern across the United States, Bush said Whiteside County has not experienced widespread issues. Even so, she encouraged residents to take advantage of the free notification service as a proactive way to monitor activity involving their name.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the Property Fraud Alert program is new. Bush explained the service has actually been available in Whiteside County since 2010, after being implemented by former Recorder Dawn Young. While information about the program has appeared with property tax bills for years, increased national attention surrounding property fraud has made more people aware of the service.
Bush also clarified that the program is based on a person’s name—not a specific property. Whenever a document is officially recorded in the recorder’s office under a registered name, the system sends a notification by text message, email, or automated phone call.
Receiving an alert does not mean fraud has occurred. Instead, it simply means a document has been recorded using that name. In many cases, the recorded document is something routine, such as paying off a mortgage or transferring property into a trust.
Because the system searches by name, residents with common names may receive alerts for documents belonging to someone else with the same name. Bush encouraged anyone who receives a notification to contact the Recorder’s Office so staff can explain what document was recorded. While office employees cannot provide legal advice or interpret legal documents, they can review the filing information and help determine whether the document belongs to the person who received the alert.
If someone believes a fraudulent document has been recorded, Bush said the next step is to contact an attorney, who can provide legal guidance and serve as the person’s advocate.
Bush also addressed another misunderstanding about the program. Some residents mistakenly believe the Recorder’s Office contacts them before recording documents to request approval. She explained that it is not how the process works.
The Recorder’s Office serves as the county’s official filing office for legal documents. Most documents are prepared by attorneys and, if they meet Illinois recording requirements, the office is required by law to record them. The Property Fraud Alert system only notifies residents after a document has been recorded—it does not prevent documents from being filed or require approval from the property owner beforehand.
Residents can sign up for the free Property Fraud Alert program through the Whiteside County Recorder’s website, whitesidecountyil.gov/285/Recorder—Land-Records, by scanning the QR code included with property tax bills, or by contacting the Recorder’s Office directly.
Anyone with questions about the program can call the Whiteside County Recorder’s Office at 815-772-5192, email the office through the recorder’s website, or stop by during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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One Response
Wonderful interview! Great job by the interviewer and Kendra!