Chelsea Senior Center and Chelsea State Bank Share Free Property Fraud Protection Resources
Protecting your home doesn't end when you lock the front door. As property fraud and identity theft continue to rise, knowing about free tools that alert homeowners to suspicious activity is one way older adults can safeguard one of their most valuable assets.
Helping older adults stay informed is one of the many ways Chelsea Senior Center (CSC) builds community, creates connections, and empowers people as they age. That commitment was on display at CSC’s July Birthday Lunch, hosted by valued corporate partner Chelsea State Bank (CSB). At the birthday lunch, CSB President and CEO Joanne Rau introduced attendees to a free property fraud alert service available through participating county Register of Deeds offices.
Property fraud occurs when someone fraudulently records documents that transfer ownership of property or place liens against it. While these free alert services cannot prevent fraud, they notify homeowners when documents are recorded in their name, allowing them to investigate suspicious activity and respond quickly if needed.
Following Rau's presentation, Chelsea State Bank shared registration resources for the property fraud alert programs available in Jackson, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties:
Washtenaw County: Visit Washtenaw Washtenaw.org/deeds, click Fraud Protection, then Sign Up to create an account and add the names you would like monitored.
Jackson County: Visit https://www.mijackson.org/3135/Property-Alert-Notification and create a user account, log in, and configure your FraudSleuth profile by adding the names you want monitored. Multiple profiles may be added if needed.
Livingston County: Visit the Livingston County Register of Deeds website at https://milivcounty.gov/rod/ and click the Property Fraud Alert button, or call 800-728-3858 for assistance enrolling.
Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when registering:
The service is free.
Register each individual name separately, even for spouses.
If you own property in more than one county, you must enroll in each county individually.
If your name or a business or trust name is spelled in different ways, consider registering each variation to improve monitoring.
"We're grateful for community partners like Chelsea State Bank that share practical resources with our members,” said Jennifer Smith, Chelsea Senior Center Executive Director. “Together, we can help older adults stay informed and better prepared to protect themselves from fraud.”
Taking just a few minutes to enroll can provide valuable peace of mind. If you have questions about signing up, Technology Support volunteers are available to help at Chelsea Senior Center every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon.
When community organizations work together, everyone benefits. By combining trusted information with hands-on support, Chelsea Senior Center and its community partners help older adults access the information, resources, and support they need to take simple steps that can make a lasting difference.