Deeds office touts weapon against fraud

SMITHFIELD — A story in a nearby county caught the attention of Craig Olive, Johnston County’s registrar of deeds.

A fraud artist had filed a deed for a house he did not own.

Johnston County has a defense against that. Since 2013, Olive’s office has deployed Fraud Guard, a free service that alerts property owners if someone files a deed in their name. Property owners can sign up at johnstonnc.com/fraudguard.

“I would like for the N.C. General Assembly to enact tougher laws and penalties for those who record fraudulent documents and make the process easier for the homeowner to retain ownership,” Olive said.

He encouraged Johnstonians to register for Fraud Guard.  “With such fraud cases on the rise, I want to provide this free service to help our citizens stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect their properties,” Olive said.

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