Lee Clerk completes property fraud prevention pilot program

After being chosen as the only county in Florida to conduct a property fraud prevention pilot program, Lee County Clerk and Comptroller Kevin Karnes is proud to announce the program is complete and a legislative report outlining the pilot’s overview, successes, challenges, and further recommendations has been compiled and sent to state leaders.

The two-year pilot program ran from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 and was aimed at preventing property fraud by requiring anyone who recorded a deed at the Lee County Clerk’s office to present a government-issued photo ID before the deed was processed. This made it easier for law enforcement to verify the identity of the parties engaged in a property-related transaction and investigate fraudulent activity more thoroughly.

The 18-page legislative report compiled by Clerk Karnes can be found at www.leeclerk.org/fraudalert. It reviews in detail the overview of the pilot program’s key phases: preparation & education, non-electronic deed submissions and electronic deed submissions. The report also lists recommendations for continuation of the pilot program and proposed legislative modifications for expansion of the program. Additionally, the report provides feedback from key stakeholders, information on suspected cases and arrests related to title/deed fraud. It also notes how county recorders from different areas of the country reached out to the Lee Clerk’s office about the pilot program, stating, “Nearly all expressed interest in following Florida’s lead in their pursuit to combat title/deed fraud.”

“It is an honor to have been chosen to lead this Property Fraud Prevention Pilot Program, and I couldn’t be prouder of how hard our team worked to implement it,” Clerk Karnes said. “This pilot program was the first of its kind, not just in Florida but likely the United States, to combat title fraud against owners of real property. Property fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes, and at the Lee County Clerk’s office – we are doing everything we can to stop it. I look forward to building upon the program’s success and continuing every effort to ensure that no Floridian ever loses their home to fraud, because even one stolen home is one too many.”

Even though the Property Fraud Prevention Pilot Program is complete, Clerk Karnes continues to advocate against property fraud and encourages all Lee County residents to sign up for the office’s free Property Fraud Alert service, which will notify you within 24 hours when a deed, mortgage or other document with your name has been recorded. Registration takes less than two minutes and can be done at www.leeclerk.org/propertyfraud.