Property fraud is a serious and rapidly growing crime, with fraudsters illegally using property for financial gain. The FBI identifies property and mortgage fraud as a leading white-collar crime, and it can happen right here in St. Johns County. One common tactic involves recording fraudulent deeds or liens against your property within the Official Records of the St. Johns County Clerk Of Court. This can create significant legal and financial headaches for property owners.
To combat this growing threat, the St. Johns County Clerk of Court offers a FREE Recording Activity Notification service. This invaluable tool acts as an early warning system, alerting you to potential fraudulent activity related to your property. By subscribing, you’ll receive email notifications whenever a document is recorded in the Official Records under your name. This proactive approach allows you to take immediate and appropriate action if you suspect fraudulent activity, potentially saving you time, money, and significant stress.
Sign Up for FREE Fraud Alerts Today!
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your valuable investment by signing up for the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s free Fraud Alert service. You can easily register by clicking here or by scanning the QR code provided.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fraud Alert Service
1. How does the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s Fraud Alert system actually work?
Once you’ve registered for this complimentary service offered by the St. Johns County Clerk of Court, you will be promptly notified via email whenever a document is officially recorded in St. Johns County using your name. This email alert will contain essential details such as the document type, book and page number within the Official Records, the recording date, and the name under which it was filed. Using this information, you can then easily access the Clerk’s Official Records online to review the document and determine if it pertains to you and your property. It’s important to note that this alert system is specifically for documents recorded within the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s Official Records and requires a valid email address for notifications.
2. What information is needed to register for Fraud Alerts from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court?
Signing up for fraud alerts from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court is simple and requires minimal information. You will only need to provide your first and last name, and if applicable, the name of your business or Trust. An email address is also necessary to receive the notifications. If you are known by variations of your name (e.g., “Bill” for “William”), it’s recommended to register each name variation separately to ensure comprehensive coverage. No other personal information is required for registration. However, the St. Johns County Clerk of Court suggests checking the Official Records beforehand to understand how your name is indexed in the system, typically as LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME AND/OR INITIAL, SUFFIX. Refer to FAQ #7 for detailed name registration guidelines.
3. Can I register for alerts even if I don’t currently own property in St. Johns County?
Yes, you can absolutely sign up for the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s Fraud Alert service even if you are not currently a property owner in St. Johns County. The system is designed to notify you if any document is recorded with your name, regardless of property ownership status. This can be beneficial for individuals who are in the process of buying property or who may have future interests in St. Johns County real estate.
4. If I have a common name, will I receive alerts for documents not related to me?
It’s true that individuals with common names may receive alerts for documents recorded under the same name, even if they are not directly related. The St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s system alerts based on name matching, and cannot distinguish between individuals with identical names. If you have a common name like “John Smith,” you might receive alerts for various “John Smiths.” However, by using the document information provided in the alert email and searching the online Official Records, you can quickly review the document image and determine if it is relevant to you or your property. This added step of verification ensures you remain informed about recordings that genuinely concern you.
5. I received a fraud alert from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court. How do I view the document?
The alert email from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court will provide you with the crucial document number, specifically the Book and Page reference within the Official Records. To view the actual document, simply navigate to the Clerk’s online Official Records search. Enter the Book and Page information provided in your alert email to locate and view the recorded document. This allows you to directly examine the document that triggered the alert and assess its relevance and legitimacy.
6. I signed up for alerts but am not receiving them, even though I know documents have been recorded with my name.
There are a couple of reasons why you might not be receiving alerts from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court. Firstly, ensure that you have confirmed your subscription. After initially signing up, the system sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. You MUST click the confirmation link within that email to activate your alerts. If you have confirmed your subscription and are still not receiving alerts, or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s Recording Division directly at 904-819-3632. They can help troubleshoot any issues and ensure your alerts are properly activated.
7. How should I enter my name when registering for St. Johns County Clerk of Court Fraud Alerts?
To ensure accurate name matching and prevent issues with the St. Johns County Clerk of Court’s alert system, it’s important to follow specific guidelines when entering your name during registration. Avoid using punctuation marks and symbols, as the system may not recognize them. For example, “Joe’s” should be entered as “Joes,” and “O’Brien” as “Obrien.” For names containing commas (,), slashes (/), or hyphens (-), remove the punctuation and leave ONE space. For instance, “Yolanda Ross-Jones” should be entered as “Jones Yolanda Ross.” Similarly, remove periods (.) and leave ONE space, except in the case of web addresses like “Bank.com,” where the period is essential. Following these guidelines will optimize the system’s ability to accurately identify your name in recorded documents and ensure you receive timely fraud alerts from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court.
Example of Name Formatting for St. Johns County Clerk of Court Fraud Alerts Registration.
Service Disclaimer
Please remember that this fraud alert service provided by the St. Johns County Clerk of Court is a notification system. It is a tool to help you monitor for potential fraudulent activity. It is not a guarantee against fraud, nor does it prevent fraud from occurring. It is your responsibility to review any alerts and take appropriate action if you believe fraud has occurred.
