Service Lets Homeowners Get Jump on Lien Jumpers

Adapted from Elizabeth Razzi's blog at washingtonpost.com/localaddress:

First American Core Logic, a company that sells lien-monitoring services and automated appraisal information to lenders, is offering similar services to homeowners at no charge.

Its ePropertyWatch Monitoring Service allows users to set up a password-protected account and receive e-mail updates reporting recent home sales, foreclosures and, most important, the registration of any changes to public records reflecting your ownership of the home. Such changes could include liens or deed transfers filed without you knowing about it.

According to the FBI, there is a variety of identity theft called "house stealing" in which scam artists create fake IDs with your information and use the documents to fraudulently change the deed records on file with your local government.

The service also gives you periodic value estimates -- the same type of information that they sell to lenders and appraisers. Appraisers are supposed to use such automated value estimates as only a starting point in arriving at their own numbers. But it would be good to know the automated price estimate that will flash on the lender's computer screen when you apply for a refinance; it could save you a loan application fee and wasted time.

I logged into the service and noticed two drawbacks. First, it was distressingly easy to claim my own address and have e-mail notices sent to me. The level of information that I had to supply just didn't seem very difficult for a stranger to find. (That alone may be reason for you to log in and claim your home pronto.) Second, by logging in, you agree that FirstAmerican CoreLogic can phone you with sales pitches, even if you are on the government's Do-Not-Call list.