Logo courtesy of Butte County

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - Butte County property owners will begin receiving automatic notices when certain documents transferring or affecting title to their property are recorded, under a new notification program scheduled to begin in January.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder Keaton Denlay announced the Title Transfer Notification Program on Aug. 27. The program, created under Senate Bill 255, aims to give property owners notice when specified real estate documents are recorded.

The Clerk-Recorder's Office will automatically mail a notification when a deed, deed of trust, quitclaim deed or mortgage is recorded. The notice will go to the last known mailing address of the grantor listed on the document.

Property owners do not need to register or subscribe to the program.

Beginning in January, the county will automatically send notices for qualifying transactions involving property in Butte County.

Each notice will include the first two pages of the recorded document and information explaining what recipients can do if they believe a transaction is fraudulent.

County officials cautioned that receiving a notice does not mean the Clerk-Recorder's Office suspects fraud or other improper activity. The county will send notices for all qualifying transactions, including legitimate transfers.

The notification provides property owners with information about a recorded transaction and a way to identify a transfer they did not authorize.

Anyone who believes a transaction involves real estate fraud should contact the Butte County District Attorney's Office at [email protected] or 866-323-7283.