Local News
Fannin County Clerk offers free Property Fraud Alert
By the Office of Fannin County Clerk, Jenny Garner
Feb 22, 2025
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Fannin County, Texas -- Property Fraud Alert is a free online service offered to our property owners. This service monitors names of newly filed documents and notifies individuals when a document has been filed with that name on it. The Fannin County Clerk, Jenny Garner, encourages every property owner to sign up for this service. If a landowner files a document with the County Clerk, signed up landowners are notified. If someone else files a document with the clerk’s office with the specified name or address on it, a notification is sent. While many filings are legitimate, this service helps property owners monitor their deed records for fraudulent activity.

Sadly, the FBI has reported that many people are having their land fraudulently sold by someone impersonating the land owner (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newark/news/fraudsters-are-stealing-land-out-from-under-owners). One of the FBI’s top recommendations is that property owners sign up for Property Fraud Alerts with their county clerk’s office. While this service has been offered for several years in Fannin County, being registered to receive alerts is becoming more important.

There have been recent updates and improvements to the program. Property Fraud Alert is now available in English and Spanish. Property owners that don’t speak English or have limited English skills are at an increased risk for fraud. Subscribers can now receive text messages, phone alerts, or e-mails when documents are filed with their names or address.

“As an elected official in Fannin County, one of my priorities is the maintenance and protection of accurate records," says Garner. "Property Fraud Alert is a service I am proud to say we offer to help our citizens protect themselves and their property from fraudsters. The time, money, and heartache victims can save due to these notifications is priceless. For many, our homes and property are our largest investments. This free service is more important than ever to protect that investment.”

Garner adds, “As a property owner and a registered user of Property Fraud Alert, I can testify that the service works. When I was sworn into office, various official documents and my bond were filed in the County Clerk’s office. I was notified within 24 hours that documents with my name had been filed with the county. Gratefully, these were all legitimate documents. However, in this day and age with fraud and scams on the increase, everything we can do to protect ourselves should be done.”

Property Fraud Alert is available through the county clerk’s website, https://www.co.fannin.tx.us/page/fannin.County.Clerk under the Land Records Department. It is also available online at www.propertyfraudalert.com or by calling 1-800-728-3858. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Fannin County Clerk’s Office at 903-583-7486.