Gov. Bill Lee has signed legislation by House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, to protect Tennessee homeowners from title fraud.
Garrett partnered with Sumner County Register of Deeds Holly Hemmrich to draft the new law, which prevents fraud on electronically filed deeds by specifying the people and entities allowed to submit electronic records to a county register. Filing vendors, not registers of deeds, are now responsible for ensuring records being transmitted are legitimate.
“Achieving home or property ownership is a hard-earned goal, often the result of years of work, saving and perseverance. Bad actors shouldn’t be able to take that away,” Garrett said. “Unfortunately, fraudsters and scammers are attempting to undermine law-abiding residents through identity theft and title fraud, shattering families and upending lives. This new law seeks to protect Tennessee homeowners from this disturbing crime by ensuring accountability and transparency in the property transfer process. I’m grateful to Gov. Lee for his support and I look forward to continuing to deliver common-sense solutions for the Volunteer State.”…