CLAY COUNTY — County Officials Discover Fraud Exists, Hold Meeting to Announce Emails Can Stop It
CLAY COUNTY — In a stunning display of modern innovation, the Clay County Commission gathered this week to learn that email alerts are, in fact, a thing. Recorder of Deeds Sandy Brock unveiled Deed Watch, a program that lets residents receive an email if someone tampers with their property records — a revolutionary concept last seen in, oh, roughly 1999.
“It allows email alerts to be sent if there is activity recorded under their name,” Brock explained, as commissioners nodded in solemn appreciation of technology that most teenagers mastered in middle school.
According to Brock, deed fraud is rare, but property fraud — the kind that happens when someone quietly transfers Grandma’s house into their own name — does happen. “Often that occurs among family members,” she added, proving once again that the biggest threat to your assets may be sitting across from you at Thanksgiving.
Brock said the system is “quick and easy to use” and can “protect a business or individual.” She also gently suggested that older parents might need a little help setting it up — because nothing says “holiday bonding” like explaining email verification to Dad for the twelfth time.
Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte praised the system, calling it “a preventative tool that can offer an ease of mind.” Commissioner Jay Johnson chimed in from the law enforcement perspective, saying property fraud is hard to investigate — but, hey, at least this is something. “There’s no downside to sign up,” Johnson said, proving that even in government, miracles can happen.
Residents can learn more at www.deedwatch.com, which, believe it or not, is not a parody site.
And because one good government program deserves another, Administrative Officer DeEtta Jacobs also gave an update on the Senior Property Tax Relief Program under Senate Bill 190, which offers tax credits to residents 62 and older — provided they fill out enough paperwork to make the IRS blush.
Jacobs reported that 17,875 seniors applied, and 17,141 were approved. “Every year, seniors will have to sign up again,” she said, because apparently the county believes that elderly residents might stop being seniors if not reminded annually.
Information for the 2026 sign-up will go out January 1, and the affidavit is due March 31 — dates that will surely be printed in font size 8 on a form no one can find when they need it.
County staff expect enrollment to increase as more Clay Countians turn 62 — or as more residents realize that checking their email might actually save them money.
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