REAL PROPERTY FRAUD PREVENTION NOTICE
Fresno County Ordinance No. 26-012 (Chapter 10.33)
Protect Your Property from Deed and Title Fraud
The Real Property Fraud Prevention Notice is a voluntary tool that allows property owners to record a request for additional identity verification before a sale or loan is completed.
The notice is designed to help detect potential fraud before a transaction closes.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Record the Notice
The property owner records the Real Property Fraud Prevention Notice.
2. Provide Confidential Contact Information
The owner separately provides a trusted party with contact information, such as a phone number or email address. This information is not included in the public record.
3. Notice Appears in a Title Search
The recorded notice can be identified during a routine title search.
4. Additional Verification
The notice alerts the title professional that the owner has requested additional identity verification before the transaction is completed.
5. Amend or Revoke
The owner may amend, release, or revoke the notice at any time.
WHAT THE NOTICE DOES NOT DO
The notice:
• Does not lock or freeze the property.
• Does not prevent a sale or refinance.
• Does not create a lien or encumbrance.
• Does not require County approval.
• Does not guarantee fraud will be prevented.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this a title lock?
No. The notice does not restrict the property. It simply requests additional verification.
Is the notice mandatory?
No. Recording the notice is completely voluntary.
Does the County stop transactions?
No. The Recorder's Office does not control private real estate transactions.
Does the notice guarantee fraud prevention?
No. It provides an additional opportunity to detect potential fraud.
Is my contact information public?
No. The owner's contact information is provided separately and kept confidential by the trusted party.
Can I still sell or refinance my property?
Yes. The notice does not prevent legitimate transactions.
Can I remove the notice?
Yes. The owner may amend, release, or revoke the notice at any time.
How is this different from Fresno County's Property Owner’s Protection Alert (POPA) notification program?
The Property Owner’s Protection Alert notification program generally provides notice after a deed has been recorded. The Real Property Fraud Prevention Notice is designed to request verification before the transaction closes.
REMEMBER
The notice does not stop legitimate transactions—it adds another opportunity to detect fraudulent ones before they happen.
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