Property fraud pilot program to launch in Lee

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

A program designed to protect against property theft will be launched here in Lee County

The “Title Fraud Prevention Through Identity Verification Pilot Program,” is an effort initiated by Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes and state lawmakers, to help combat property fraud

Karnes said the idea was born shortly before his first year as the Lee County Clerk of Courts when he realized how easy it was for criminals to steal properties Existing law prevented clerks from taking proactive measures, so his top priority became getting the law changed to make sure an individual’s most valuable asset was not being stolen from underneath them

Kevin Karnes

“It wasn’t law enforcement’s fault They did not have information Criminals personate homeowners The criminal got what they needed and got the money and went on to the next victim,” Karnes said HB 1419, sponsored by Rep Will Robinson and Sen Jennifer Bradley, makes it more difficult to file fraudulent deeds in Lee County The pilot program, which passed unanimously with both Florida legislative chambers, goes into effect July 1

See FRAUD, page 24