Burlington County Clerk Joanne Schwartz and the Burlington County Commissioners are pleased to announce the launch of a new online service intended to alert residents of potential identity theft or fraud.
The new Property Fraud Alert System allows residents in all 40 Burlington County municipalities to sign up to have their name or business monitored for transactions and recording activities within the Burlington County Clerk’s Office and receive real time alerts of activity.
The subscription service is free and is intended to act as an early warning system for potential fraud. Residents who sign up will be notified by email or phone whenever a document, such as a deed, lien, or mortgage, is recorded in the Clerk’s office with their name.
After receiving an alert, subscribers can contact the Clerk’s Office at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/192/County-Clerk to verify the transaction and view the actual document that was recorded.
“The threat of mortgage fraud and identity theft crimes continue to rise, and all too often victims of these types of fraudulent activities are unaware their homes or identity have been stolen until it’s too late,” said Schwartz. “By implementing this new alert system, we’re providing a tool residents can use to identify these potential scams, so they can take action right away. It’s a completely free service that’s quick and easy to sign up for, and it can provide some much-needed peace of mind for residents who are too busy to regularly check their property records for fraudulent activity.”
Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson said the optional new service was another proactive initiative to assist Burlington County residents and business owners.
“Almost everyone has either experienced fraud or identity theft firsthand or knows someone who has, so I’m thankful that our Clerk’s Office has stepped up and provided this innovative new early warning system,” Hopson said. “I know now our residents will be better protected.”
The Property Fraud Alert System is now live and residents can sign up online at https://www.propertyfraudalert.com/phoenix/PFASignUp.WebSite. Residents can also register by calling 1-800-728-3858.
The only information required is a resident’s name and email or phone number to receive alerts. Residents can opt out at any time.
“Last year, more than 90,000 records were processed through the Clerk’s Office. While we’re always on the lookout for suspicious activity and potential fraud, this system will provide another layer of proactive protection,” Schwartz said.
