A sharp increase in deed theft complaints across New York has prompted Livingston County officials to launch a new tool designed to help property owners detect potential fraud before significant damage is done.
The Livingston County Clerk’s Office announced this week that it is offering a free property alert service that notifies residents by email whenever their name appears in a real property filing recorded with the county. Officials say the system provides an early warning if suspicious documents are filed that could affect ownership of a property.
According to the New York State Attorney General’s Office, deed theft complaints more than tripled statewide between 2023 and 2025. County Clerk Kris Secor said the alert service is intended to give residents immediate notice of filings involving their name so they can respond quickly if fraudulent activity is suspected.
The system allows users to monitor filings associated with their personal name, business name or another custom search term. Property owners can also set alerts tied to a specific document already recorded in the county’s public records system. Notifications are sent whenever a matching filing is recorded, including documents such as tax liens, releases and other property-related records.
Secor noted that residents can sign up to monitor multiple properties, making it possible to track filings affecting family members or other individuals who may need assistance managing property records.
County officials emphasized that while the service cannot prevent a fraudulent filing from being recorded, it can help property owners identify suspicious activity quickly and take action sooner.
The property alert service is available at no cost to Livingston County property owners.
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