Q&A
Council members question Department of Finance on document review and outreach effectiveness
0:28:11
ยท
3 min
Council Members Nantasha M. Williams and Justin Brannan engage in a Q&A session with Department of Finance officials, focusing on document review processes, fraud detection, and the effectiveness of outreach methods for property owners. The discussion covers steps taken to identify potential fraudulent activity in property transfers and the importance of notifying homeowners about changes to their property records.
- Deputy Commissioner Annette Hill explains the document review process and flags for potential fraud.
- Council Member Williams inquires about the support for her bill on notifying homeowners of property record changes.
- Council Member Brannan asks about data on the effectiveness of different outreach methods, which the Department of Finance representative is unable to provide immediately.
Nantasha M. Williams
0:28:11
Thank you, chair.
0:28:12
I just had one question, and it's about the steps that the office of the city register takes in reviewing a document that someone has submitted for recording.
0:28:22
Is the agency capable of detecting forgeries of fraud in this process?
Annette Hill
0:28:29
We we, the the examiners look for basic things that are required by law and by statute for recording.
0:28:36
Document must be dated.
0:28:37
It must The name and address of the parties must be on the recorded endorsement page.
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The documents must be signed, notarized, and acknowledged.
0:28:46
Property description should be in the document including the borough block and lot.
0:28:52
And if itis a deed we look for additional information such as a New York City tax, tax return form.
0:29:00
The New York State transfer report, New York State transfer tax form.
0:29:06
So we look at all of those things.
0:29:08
On the, New York City return it gives the assessed value.
0:29:12
So thatis one of the things that the staff will look for, the assessed value if the if the property is being transferred with 0 consideration.
0:29:20
That's that's usually a flag that we will move to our quality review group to look at it.
0:29:25
As I said before, if we see that this property a, a quality review.
0:29:39
We'll also verify with the state that the notary is registered with the state.
0:29:44
So if we find there is a notary issue we'll also remove it.
0:29:47
So there's certain that the examiners can't look at it as right away and determine it is fraud.
0:29:52
But because of our flags we'll do a deeper research and partner for our sheriff's department to go out and look to talk to the person who's actually doing the recording and speak to the property owner.
Nantasha M. Williams
0:30:04
And then I know you're in support of my bill.
0:30:07
And so would you say, like, allowing for homeowners to have information about when there are any changes can also, kinda, support the work of making sure there isn't fraudulent activity with title clouding?
Annette Hill
0:30:21
Absolutely.
0:30:21
Which is why we do say that when the property is recorded, everyone gets a notice immediately.
0:30:26
The owner of record with refinance will get a notification saying something has occurred on your property.
0:30:33
Something was recorded.
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We give them the sheriffis number if theyire not aware of it.
0:30:37
We tell them how to look up the information.
0:30:39
And we also encourage people to actually be proactive and go on to ACRIS and look and see what's being done against your property.
Nantasha M. Williams
0:30:46
Okay.
0:30:46
Thank you.
0:30:47
Well Thanks, Chair.
Justin Brannan
0:30:48
I guess, last question for me.
0:30:50
Does DUF have any research or data that that shows which type of outreach has been more effective than others so far?
0:30:59
You know, in person events, emails, letters.
Jacob Capistran
0:31:04
To my knowledge, I'd I would have to go back to the team and and ask if we've, you know, if we have that information.
0:31:09
I think we only have, I'll have to ask the team.
Justin Brannan
0:31:13
Okay.
0:31:14
Okay.
0:31:15
None of my colleagues have questions.
0:31:17
We are good to go.
0:31:18
So thank you guys very much.
0:31:19
Thank you all.
Annette Hill
0:31:20
Thank you.
Justin Brannan
0:31:20
We're now going we've also been joined by council member Salaam.