SALEM — The Register of Deeds for the Southern Essex District John O’Brien wants to remind residents of a free fraud protection service offered by his office.
Residents can enter their name, property address and email address, and receive a notification whenever a document is registered for that address. They can then click a link to check the document and ensure that it is something they are expecting.
O’Brien warned constituents against a company called Title Lock, which offers the same service for a $14.99 per month fee.
“These types of scams take advantage of people’s fears, particularly the elderly and less technically savvy, in an attempt to scare them into paying hundreds of dollars for something that the Registry has offered free of charge since 2017,” O’Brien said in a statement.
To sign up for the free service, visit salemdeeds.com and click “Property Fraud Watch,” or call the customer service department at (978) 542-1704.