Lee County Takes Lead in Combatting Property Fraud with New Identification Requirements
Recent legislative actions have paved the way for innovative measures aimed at protecting property owners and deterring fraudulent activities. Lee County has been chosen as the pilot location for the program and finds itself at the forefront of these efforts.
The “Title Fraud Prevention Through Identity Verification Pilot Program” unanimously passed both chambers of the Florida legislature. This program seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing identity verification measures in preventing property fraud. Lee County may serve as a model for other counties statewide. The Lee County Clerk is spearheading a two-year pilot initiative.
Pilot Program
The Lee County Clerk’s office is rolling out a Property Fraud Prevention Program in phases. The first phase, effective August 1, 2023, introduced a significant change to enhance the protection of property owners. Copies of government-issued photo identifications will be required from both grantors and grantees when recording a property deed in-person or by mail in Lee County.
These identifications will not be made public online. Instead, they will be securely stored at the Clerk’s office and provided to law enforcement agencies when investigating suspected property fraud cases.
Lee County is expanding its identification requirements to encompass e-recorded deeds, recognizing the importance of consistency across all recording submission methods.
As we continue this journey to combat property fraud, we stand united in our commitment to protecting the interests of property owners and preserving the integrity of real estate transactions within Lee County. Vendors are required to upload identification for e-recording effective immediately.
For further inquiries or assistance regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact the Lee County Clerk’s office.
Together, we can make a difference in safeguarding our community against property fraud.
– Randi Benge is the President and Owner of The Title Link
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