WESTPORT — The town invites residents to register for a new online program designed to prevent fraudulent and forged transactions using local property records.

Cott Systems’ “PropertyCheck” has been integrated into the town’s records management system software, RECORDhub, and residents are encouraged to sign up for the no-cost service, according to an announcement this week by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton.

The service, according to officials, is activated “24/7” and alerts residents whenever an attempt is made to record or change documents pertaining to their property.

Property fraud, which Dunkerton said is on the rise, can occur “if someone forges your identity, transfers your property into their name, and records the document. This fraudulent activity can make it appear as if that person owns your home or property, and you may not have any idea that this happened.”

To participate, property owners need to establish a RECORDhub account (click here), create alerts based on their name and choose a preference for receiving alerts — via email or text message. 

“It’s also a good idea to set up multiple alerts based on first, middle and last name variations as well as spouses’ names,” Dunkerton said in the statement. “This will ensure that an alert will be triggered in case a recording happens with some slight variation of a name or names.”

For questions, call the Town Clerk’s Office at 203-341-1110.