Skip to content
Property and Mortgage Fraud: The Fastest Growing White-Collar Crime
Property and mortgage fraud is no longer a rare crime—it’s now recognized by the FBI as the fastest growing white-collar crime in the United States. Homeowners across the country are increasingly vulnerable to scammers who file fake deeds, fraudulently transfer ownership, or take out unauthorized mortgages on unsuspecting property owners.
Fortunately, some Louisiana Parishes are taking action with notification systems
designed to alert you when suspicious activity is recorded against your property. But while these tools are valuable, they do come with important limitations.
How Property and Mortgage Fraud Works
Fraudsters may illegally record fake deeds, liens, or mortgages, making it appear as though they own your property. From there, they can attempt to:
- Sell or transfer ownership of the property
- Mortgage the property for quick cash
- Rent or otherwise profit from it—all without the knowledge of the rightful owner
By the time the true owner discovers the fraud, significant financial and legal damage may already be done.
Louisiana Parish Programs That Can Help
Several parishes in Louisiana have implemented free monitoring systems to help
homeowners detect suspicious activity:
Orleans Parish – Recording Notification Service (RNS)
The Clerk of Civil District Court for Orleans Parish offers the Recording Notification Service. This free service sends email alerts when documents are recorded in the Land Records Division that match a registered name, business, notary, or address.
- You can register up to 10 variations per email address.
- Notifications are triggered only on exact matches.
- It doesn’t prevent fraud but gives you an early warning.
Jefferson Parish – JeffWatch
Jefferson Parish provides JeffWatch, a free property alert system from the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court.
- It monitors the Mortgage and Conveyance offices for recordings tied to your name.
- You’ll receive email alerts within 24 hours of verified recordation.
St. Tammany Parish – Recording Activity Alerts
St. Tammany Parish offers a Recording Activity Alerts system through its Clerk of Court.
- Works similarly to Orleans and Jefferson systems.
- Alerts you when a document tied to your name is recorded.
Important Limitations to Keep in Mind
While these programs are powerful early-warning tools, they are not foolproof:
- No prevention: They don’t stop fraudulent filings, only notify you afterward.
- Exact match only: Misspellings, abbreviations, or formatting differences may bypass detection.
- Not retroactive: They only cover recordings made after you sign up.
These services should be viewed as part of a broader property protection plan, not a complete solution.
Protect Yourself Beyond Alerts
Notification systems are helpful, but they cannot replace:
- Title insurance – protects against fraudulent claims and defects.
- Legal oversight – an attorney can help challenge fraudulent filings quickly.
- Regular record monitoring – periodically check public records for unexpected filings.
Taking advantage of these parish-level services is an easy, proactive step that could save you from a potentially massive financial and legal issue.
Final Word
If you own property in Orleans, Jefferson, or St. Tammany Parish, signing up for their free recording alert systems is a smart move. It’s quick, simple, and may give you the critical head start you need to stop fraud before it spirals.
Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated—but with vigilance, legal protection, and the right tools, you can protect what’s rightfully yours.
