Someone was up to no good on Tuesday when they called an elderly Greene County homeowner and claimed to be a county official who needed information about their property.
Whatever the unknown caller was trying to do, their plot was foiled thanks to quick action by Greene County Recorder Stuart Dowden.
“They probably had bad intentions in mind,” said Dowden, who wants to alert the public to the possibility of property fraud, and the fact that someone has attempted to pull the wool over a homeowner’s eyes by falsely claiming to be Dowden.
“Somebody’s out there using my name,” said Dowden, adding that if it happens again, homeowners should immediately call the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, their local police department or the Recorder’s office.
Dowden became aware of the problem Tuesday morning when a homeowner called him at the Recorder’s office to apologize and say they would not be able to keep their appointment. Dowden said he felt confused because he didn’t have any appointments scheduled.
After the call, Dowden said “some bells went off” in his head.
Dowden immediately contacted the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. They in turn contacted one of Greene County’s local law enforcement agencies who promptly went out to investigate and talk to the homeowner.
The caller, who said he was Dowden, had told the homeowner that he needed to find out how the homeowner had acquired their property. He also said he needed to come over and talk.
While police were talking to the homeowner, the suspicious caller called again to tell the homeowner he would be there soon.
Police were waiting with the homeowner but the caller must have gotten wind that police were there. He never showed up.
“They didn’t catch him, but they did stop him,” said Dowden. “The public should be aware that there’s somebody trying to pull a fast one.”
For most people, their property is their most valuable investment.
As the Greene County Recorder, Dowden’s office records all deeds and property transfers in the county as well as keeping a record of many other official transactions.
Dowden said his office does business with a firm, Fidlar Technologies, that provides a property fraud alert service which is free to the county and free to homeowners.
The Recorder’s Office is making this service available to the public through Fidlar, and Dowden says it’s time for people to start signing up. This new service has been in the works for a few months but the company just sent the promotional materials to Dowden this week.
Dowden said it’s a coincidence that the week he intends to start hanging some posters and flyers and promote the service to the public, an incident happens that highlights the need.
Dowden says it’s simple to sign up for the “Property Fraud Alert” service. A property owner should visit the website www.propertyfraudalert.com and select Greene County IN from a drop-down list of counties. The visitor will then agree to terms of service, then enter their name and address information, with up to five variations on their name, and leave an email address or a phone number where their alert should be sent.
Dowden said as soon as a transaction is put into the computer in the office with the property owner’s name, the system will trigger an alert to be sent out. He said it’s very quick.
For more information, contact Dowden at the Greene County Recorder’s Office by calling 384-2020 or by sending an email to stuart.dowden@co.greene.in.us .
In case of a suspicious call or activity, contact the Greene County Sheriff’s Department at 384-4411 or a local law enforcement agency.