Registrar Duff Appeals to Residents to Protect Themselves Against Real Estate Fraud

March 26, 2026 - 06:54

Eileen Duff, the Registrar for the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds, has issued a direct appeal to all homeowners and property holders, urging them to take immediate steps to protect their most valuable assets from sophisticated fraud schemes. Duff recently appeared before the Haverhill City Council to emphasize the critical importance of the state’s free Property Fraud Watch program.

This essential service acts as an early warning system for property owners. Once enrolled, participants receive automatic email alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or mortgage, is recorded under their name at the registry. This notification allows individuals to quickly verify the legitimacy of the filing and take action if it is fraudulent.

Criminals engage in deed fraud by forging signatures and transferring property titles to steal equity or secure illegitimate loans. The registrar stressed that such scams can have devastating financial and legal consequences, often going unnoticed until it is too late to easily resolve. Enrolling in the monitoring program provides a crucial layer of security and peace of mind at no cost to the resident. Officials recommend that all property owners consider this proactive measure a standard part of safeguarding their home and financial well-being.