Oakland, Michigan, September 27, 2007 -- Ruth Johnson, the Oakland County Clerk/Register, told local law enforcement officers today that her office will do all it can to assist them in fighting mortgage and deed fraud.

"Sooner or later, the paperwork - at least in Oakland County - usually ends up in our office," Johnson said. "I had one woman in Bloomfield come to me. They forged documents and said she sold her $278,000 home to them for $5,000 - can you imagine having to prove that your home is really your home?"

More than 100 local and state law enforcement officers gathered today for the seminar, sponsored by the FBI and Flagstar Bank. The seminar focused on the investigation and prosecution of mortgage fraud cases and was held because of the sharp increase in mortgage fraud cases in southeast Michigan, organizers said. Speakers included lenders, law enforcement and real estate experts.

Johnson has been public in her efforts to fight mortgage/deed fraud. Called the "new street hustle," criminals steal homes on paper, leaving the true homeowner with an expensive legal mess. Mortgage fraud involves various mortgage/paperwork scams.

In addition to installing security cameras in the Register of Deeds Office, Johnson formed a task force with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office. She has worked with local legislators to increase the fines and penalties for those convicted in such fraud cases as well.

One new tool at her office - believed to be the first in the country - allows homeowners to go online to see whether any unauthorized documents have been recorded against their name. FRAUDCHECK is available at www.oakgov.com/clerkrod.