Almost 1 million records were recently restored to the Tarrant County clerk's website for online access after we scrubbed them of sensitive personal data to protect the public from identity theft.
The project started in March after the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department notified me that suspects arrested in New Mexico on drug charges might have mined personal data from records on county websites nationwide to create false identities.We immediately began an audit of the 12 million public records on our website to determine which ones contained sensitive data.Although it was not required by law, we quickly removed 1 million records containing personal information that could be used to create false identities.We redacted Social Security, driver's license and federal tax numbers, as well as birth dates, from 17 categories of documents, from divorce records to property deeds to powers of attorney.Six months later, the redacted records are now accessible on our website, https://ccrecordse.tarrantcountytx.gov/RealEstate.Providing online access to public records saves taxpayers time and money.We will continue to review and redact personal information from the half-million or so new documents filed with the clerk's office every year.Those who see sensitive personal information in their online documents can file a redaction request by e-mail at WM-CountyClerk@TarrantCounty.com.Personal identifiers are visible in the original records available at the Tarrant County Courthouse, but only upon request.While protecting against identity theft is a continuing concern, we have also taken steps to fight property and mortgage fraud in Tarrant County.It's one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country, according to the FBI. Already this year, our local grand jury has indicted almost a dozen squatters who filed fraudulent affidavits of adverse possession to claim ownership of homes and property.To help protect against this and other kinds of fraud, the county provides a free automated alert program that serves as an early warning to property owners. To register for the program, go to www.tarrantcounty.com/ecountyclerk and click on the Property Fraud Alert icon in the upper-right corner. About 10,000 county property owners signed up this year.Although innovative new scams emerge all the time, by working together we can better protect our families, our property and our personal information.Mary Louise Garcia is the Tarrant County clerk.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
