Craig Olive, the Register of Deeds for Johnston County, has emphasized the importance of the Fraud Guard system—a protective measure introduced in 2013. Following a recent incident where a homeowner's property was falsely deeded by an imposter in a neighboring county, Olive took the opportunity to remind locals that they have a tool to combat such fraud, according to the Johnston County.
The Fraud Guard program aims to alert registered Johnston County property owners of any real estate transactions conducted in their name. Notifications are sent via email, providing a simple yet effective way for property owners to quickly respond to any unauthorized activity. Efforts are ongoing to safeguard the community's real estate interests. According to Mr. Olive, this service reflects the county office's commitment to its citizens.
The call for stronger legal retribution against those committing fraud has also been emphasized by Olive. In a statement, he expressed a wish: "I would like for the NC 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," as stated by the Johnston County.
Olive's office is committed to making sure residents are aware of and taking advantage of this free offer. He encourages his constituents "to take the time to register for this protection," acknowledging the rising instances of fraud. Johnston County homeowners can easily sign up for Fraud Guard through a link provided by the Register of Deeds office. Those seeking more information or with questions are advised to contact the office at 919-989-5160 during regular business hours on weekdays.
