Introduction
Estate planning isn’t just about drafting wills and trusts – it’s also about safeguarding our clients’ most valuable assets. One often-overlooked vulnerability is property fraud, where rightful ownership can be transferred without a homeowner’s awareness. That’s why the Property Fraud Alert System is such a critical tool for property owners!
What Is the Property Fraud Alert System?
This service is part of a nationwide program where the Recorder of Deeds’ office monitors newly recorded documents for subscribers’ names. If a deed or similar record is logged under their name, they get an immediate alert. It’s a free, proactive early warning system for potentially fraudulent transfers in multiple counties across Missouri and Illinois (among other states).
Why You Should Encourage Clients to Enroll
- Early Theft Detection: A record filed without authorization (e.g., forged quitclaim deeds) can be spotted early—sometimes before real harm occurs.
- Peace of Mind for Your Clients: Your clients will feel secure knowing they’re actively monitoring their property records.
- Avoid Estate Disruptions: Fraudulent ownership transfers can derail estate plans, cause legal headaches, and delay distributions. This alert system helps prevent those scenarios.
- Community Importance: In 2025, St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, and Franklin counties jointly urged residents to subscribe. Officials noted that even family members had attempted fraudulent transfers – highlighting how pervasive these scams can be.
How to Sign Up: Step-by-Step
- Visit the Enrollment Page: Go to the Property Fraud Alert page. Click here.
- Provide Your Details: You’ll need to enter your full name (or your trust/service/business name, as applicable) and contact information.
- Confirmation: Once enrolled, you’ll receive alerts via your chosen method when any documents are filed that include your name.
- Phone Support (if needed): You may also enroll by calling 1-800-728-3858, which is an alternative sign-up method reportedly available.
What to Do If an Alert Arrives
- Contact the Recorder of Deeds Office immediately to verify the record.
- If it’s suspicious or unauthorized, seek legal counsel and report it to law enforcement.
- Remember: the Recorder’s Office merely records legal documents – it cannot remove or block a filed document without a court order.
Participating Counties in Missouri and Illinois as of August 15, 2025
Missouri Counties
- Adair County, Missouri
- Audrain County, Missouri
- Butler County, Missouri
- Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
- City of St. Louis, Missouri
- Cooper County, Missouri
- Franklin County, Missouri
- Gasconade County, Missouri
- Jackson County, Missouri
- Jefferson County, Missouri
- Lafayette County, Missouri
- Linn County, Missouri
- Macon County, Missouri
- Marion County, Missouri
- Mississippi County, Missouri
- Monroe County, Missouri
- Perry County, Missouri
- Pettis County, Missouri
- Phelps County, Missouri
- St. Charles County, Missouri
- St. Francois County, Missouri
- St. Louis County, Missouri
- Saline County, Missouri
- Taney County, Missouri
- Warren County, Missouri
Illinois Counties
- Adams County, Illinois
- Alexander County, Illinois
- Bond County, Illinois
- Boone County, Illinois
- Brown County, Illinois
- Bureau County, Illinois
- Calhoun County, Illinois
- Carroll County, Illinois
- Cass County, Illinois
- Champaign County, Illinois
- Christian County, Illinois
- Clinton County, Illinois
- Coles County, Illinois
- Crawford County, Illinois
- Cumberland County, Illinois
- De Witt County, Illinois
- Douglas County, Illinois
- DuPage County, Illinois
- Edgar County, Illinois
- Effingham County, Illinois
- Fayette County, Illinois
- Ford County, Illinois
- Franklin County, Illinois
- Fulton County, Illinois
- Greene County, Illinois
- Grundy County, Illinois
- Hamilton County, Illinois
- Hancock County, Illinois
- Henderson County, Illinois
- Henry County, Illinois
- Iroquois County, Illinois
- Jackson County, Illinois
- Jefferson County, Illinois
- Jersey County, Illinois
- Jo Daviess County, Illinois
- Johnson County, Illinois
- Kankakee County, Illinois
- Kendall County, Illinois
- Knox County, Illinois
- LaSalle County, Illinois
- Lee County, Illinois
- Livingston County, Illinois
- Logan County, Illinois
- McDonough County, Illinois
- McHenry County, Illinois
- Macon County, Illinois
- Madison County, Illinois
- Marshall County, Illinois
- Mason County, Illinois
- Massac County, Illinois
- Menard County, Illinois
- Mercer County, Illinois
- Monroe County, Illinois
- Montgomery County, Illinois
- Morgan County, Illinois
- Moultrie County, Illinois
- Ogle County, Illinois
- Perry County, Illinois
- Piatt County, Illinois
- Pike County, Illinois
- Putnam County, Illinois
- Randolph County, Illinois
- Rock Island County, Illinois
- St. Clair County, Illinois
- Sangamon County, Illinois
- Schuyler County, Illinois
- Scott County, Illinois
- Shelby County, Illinois
- Stark County, Illinois
- Stephenson County, Illinois
- Tazewell County, Illinois
- Union County, Illinois
- Vermilion County, Illinois
- Warren County, Illinois
- Washington County, Illinois
- White County, Illinois
- Whiteside County, Illinois
- Will County, Illinois
- Winnebago County, Illinois
- Woodford County, Illinois
This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should contact an attorney for advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between True Estate Planning and the reader.
