Cook County to launch document alert system to help prevent property owners from deed fraud

As scams and fraud schemes become increasingly sophisticated across the U.S., including in Minnesota, many counties are taking initial steps to strengthen security measures and better protect both county operations and residents.

Cook County will soon roll out a document alert system for Cook County property owners, notifying them whenever a document is recorded in the county registrar’s office under their name, legal description, or parcel number.

“The service acts as an early warning system that allows property owners to take appropriate action if they believe fraudulent activity may have occurred,” said Holly Schroeder during a May 26 Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The matter, often referred to as “deed fraud,” is a growing concern for county officials, and there have been cases across Minnesota and the U.S., Schroeder said.

While there have been no reported cases of deed fraud in Cook County, Schroeder requested during the May 26 meeting that the commissioners adopt the document alert system as a preventive safety measure.

“Individuals fraudulently record documents against a property in an attempt to claim ownership for financial gain,” Schroeder said. While such incidents are uncommon, she said, they can have serious consequences for property owners.

Deed fraud occurs when someone records a forged or false document purporting to claim an interest in real property. It can occur in several different methods and may include forged signatures, false notarizations, or documents submitted by someone without legal authority.

“This is a significant issue. We’re seeing attempts at fraud that are purporting to sell property that they don’t actually own,” said Baiers Heeren, the newly appointed Cook County Examiner of Titles during the May 26 meeting.

He said, “We haven’t seen it in Cook County as much, but it is happening in all the surrounding counties and all the surrounding states.”

Neighboring Lake County has implemented a document alert system, and an informational document provided to residents who sign up states that recording a document does not automatically transfer legal ownership of property. Property ownership is determined by law, and, when disputed, by the courts. The document says that a fraudulent deed does not override the rights of a lawful property owner.

Other counties across Minnesota, such as Carver, Pope, Grant, Goodhue, Otter Tail, and Anoka, have implemented a document or property alert system.

The new document alert system in Cook County will be similar to Lake County’s. It will send an email alert whenever “someone tries to take an action against your property,” said Cook County Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma. The document alert system will be free and voluntary for Cook County property owners and will not be a requirement.

“The county is really excited to be implementing this and to offer this to our community members just as a security measure,” Trebil-Halbersma said.

The board of commissioners unanimously approved implementing the new document alert system during the May 26 meeting. Trebil-Halbersma said the county will now begin the work with the vendor Tyler Technology to establish a timeline and implement the system.

The county will be releasing additional information to the public in the coming weeks or months.

Kalli Hawkins May 28, 2026