Oakland County, MI, January 20, 2006 -- Property thieves beware - a new task force has been formed in Oakland County to combat mortgage and deed fraud.

The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office are now working together.

"We are pooling our resources to identify and prosecute these scam artist," Ruth Johnson, Oakland County Clerk/Regsiter of Deeds, announced Friday. "We want them to know if they come to Oakland County they're going to be in big trouble."

Michigan has been named as one of the top 10 "hotspots" for mortgage and deed fraud by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Other states are California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, South Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, Georgia and Florida.

While mortgage fraud hasn't hit hard in Oakland County yet, a new Federal Trade Commission report indidcates the white-collar crime has exploded across the country, costing businesses $48 billion and consumers $5 billion over the last five years in the United States. (Kansas City Star/January 2006)

Johnson announced this week that security cameras were being placed in the Clerk/Register of Deeds Office to deter people from filing fraudulent documents.

"We've had several alleged incidents being investigated in Oakland County," she says. "The amount of potential fraud is nearly $500,000."

The incidents are under investigation by authorities, Johnson says.

"We will be working in conjunction with both the Sheriff's Office and the Register of Deeds Office in an ongoing effort to prevent innocent homeowners from being defrauded by nefarious con artist," Prosecutor David Gorcyca said Friday. In deed scams, criminals claim ownership and sell property that does not belong to them - sometimes forceing legitimate homeowners to spend thousands in legal fees to reclaim their own property.

Gorcyca said criminals target vulnerable people - especially the elderly.

Last year, federal prosecutors charged 20 people in Detroit with defrauding banks of $10 million. Mortgage fraud has reportedly tripled in the state of Michigan since 2003, with nearly $30 million in mortgage fraud in 2004. (Detroit News 10/2005)

The Chicago Tribune recently called mortgage fraud "the new street hustle" and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says the cameras will play an important role in security.

"We look forward to working together," Bouchard said. "It's obvious this is becoming a real problem throughout the region."

Oakland County property owners can check whether there has been any activity on their property at www.oakgov.com. Click on Access Oakland (property data). There is a fee to use this service. Homeowners may also come to the Register of Deeds office at the Oakland County Courthouse, 1200 N. Telegraph in Pontiac. This service is free though there is a charge for copies.

For information call the Register of Deeds office at (248) 858-0646.