The DeWitt County Clerk is introducing a new fraud safeguard system designed to protect notaries from the growing threat of notary-related fraud. 

In a release earlier this week, Karri Harris points out that notary fraud can occur when someone forges a signature, steals a notary seal, or records a document without the required presence or authorization. The Notary Fraud Alert, or NFA, program is a free and easy-to-use service that allows notaries to monitor activity under their name and quickly detect signs of misuse. 

Once enrolled, notaries can choose to receive daily, weekly, or monthly reports detailing document recording information where their notarial credentials were applied. Each report includes the document number, document type, and parties involved, making it easy to identify suspicious filings.

The Recorder’s Office is partnering with its Land Records Management Software Vendor, Fidlar Technologies, to provide this service. 

Notary Fraud Alert for DeWitt County is currently available for notaries to sign up. A link is available on the Clerk's page under "free services" at dewittcountyil.gov.