Norwalk Announces New Property Alert Service

NORWALK, CT — The city has announced it is offering an added layer of security for property protection that Town Clerk Richard McQuaid will manage.

According to a news release, the service is free and will provide property owners with immediate automated email alerts whenever a document recorded in the Norwalk land records matches their name.

"I am pleased that the city, under the management of the Town Clerk's Office, will begin offering this new Property Alert Service, free of charge to help protect residents from potential property or mortgage fraud," Mayor Harry Rilling said in a news release. "In today's world, there is a growing threat of property fraud, and we want to help close these security gaps in our community in the best ways possible."

McQuaid noted more people are recording fraudulent documents like fake deeds or fake liens against property owners.

"In some instances," McQuaid said in a news release, "fraud on real property may not be discovered until the owners seek to sell the house."

Norwalk residents can now sign up for the alerts by visiting nwlk.norwalkct.org and registering for the Property Alert Service.

"It's as simple as registering your name or business name along with your email address," McQuaid said. "You will receive an automated email notice if a document is recorded with a matching name."

Thousands of documents are recorded annually at the Norwalk Town Clerk's office. The office recorded 13,955 documents in 2020, and in 2021 year-to-date document recording volume is 16,456.

"People go to great lengths to protect their bank accounts from fraudulent access, and this service is another tool that can help protect Norwalk residents from fraud," McQuaid said. "While this service can't prevent fraud, it's important to be notified as early as possible that someone may be trying to steal your property without your knowledge. As long as a document meets statutory recording guidelines, Connecticut law requires the Town Clerk's Office to record the document. I am pleased that we can offer this new program to help our constituents detect information that may be fraudulent."