TOLLAND, CT — The Tolland Town Clerk's Office is encouraging property owners to periodically review their land records as a precaution against property record fraud, a crime in which fraudulent real estate documents are filed without a property owner's knowledge.
According to the Town Clerk's Office, property record fraud involves the manipulation or falsification of real estate documents to illegally obtain ownership of a property or alter records for fraudulent purposes. While the office said it is not aware of any such cases occurring in Tolland, officials have received calls from residents asking how they can protect themselves.
The office recommends that property owners regularly review their land records to ensure no unauthorized documents have been filed in their names.
Residents may visit the Town Clerk's Office during regular business hours to access public land records using a public computer terminal. Staff members are available to assist residents in locating and reviewing their records.
Property owners may also search land records online by visiting the town's records database through USLandRecords.com. By selecting Connecticut, then Tolland, and searching by last and first name, users can view unofficial copies of documents associated with their property at no cost.
Town officials said regularly checking land records can help homeowners identify suspicious activity early and encouraged residents to contact the Town Clerk's Office with any questions about their property records.
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