50,000 join Land Registry’s property fraud service

The service helps people to detect fraudulent activity on their property by sending them email alerts when there is certain activity on the property being monitored, such as a mortgage being taken out against it.

The Land Registry says property fraud is most commonly committed by stealing a homeowner’s identity and selling or mortgaging the property without their knowledge.

Property is at a higher risk of fraud if it is rented out, empty, mortgage-free, or isn’t registered with Land Registry.

Since 2009, Land Registry has stopped fraud on properties worth more than £92 million.

Alasdair Lewis, Director of Legal Services, said: "Property is usually our most valuable asset so it’s important to protect it from the ever-increasing risk of fraud. Land Registry is doing all it can to detect and prevent fraud but no system can be 100 per cent fraud-proof, which is why we urge people to follow our advice about protecting themselves from property fraud, including signing up for Property Alert."