The idea that someone could steal land or a building is no joke. LaSalle County Recorder of Deeds Karen Miller says there are con artists who file deeds for land they don’t own.
And there are banks that don’t check out everything they should before lending money.
Sometime after a thief disappears with the cash, a property owner is surprised to find out the property’s in foreclosure. Miller says you can sign up for a free property fraud alert program at her office’s web site. It lets you know when your name is on a document filed in her office.