ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — The St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office is thrilled to debut a brand-new public service announcement (PSA) aimed at educating residents about the growing threat of property fraud. The PSA, created by students from George Washington University, has been submitted to local television stations and will run across social media platforms.
“The opportunity to support these students while also spreading awareness about a critical issue was a win-win,” said Clerk Brandon J. Patty. “The final PSA is even more beneficial to help inform St. Johns County homeowners.”
Clerk Patty, an alum of George Washington University, initiated the project to inspire and support upper class students as they prepare to enter the workforce. As part of their final communications project, the students teamed up with the Clerk’s Office to craft a compelling campaign with a powerful message: Property fraud is real, and it’s on the rise.
According to the FBI, property fraud — when someone illegally records a fraudulent deed, mortgage, or lien against a property — is one of the fastest-growing white-collar crimes in the country. During National Homeownership Month, the Clerk’s Office is committed to combating this threat through education and tools like our free Recording Activity Notification Service, which alerts homeowners when a document is filed into the Official Records under their name.
Since launching in 2018, nearly 30,000 residents have signed up for the free alert system, including 2,365 new users this year alone.
To watch the PSA or learn more about how to sign up for the free property fraud alert service, visit www.stjohnsclerk.com/PSA.
