28 June Fraud Alert to Notify Property Owners of New Transactions June 28, 2023 By Danyelle Barrett General 0 The Orange County Clerk’s Office is providing a free new tool to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets. With Fraud Alert, you can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or a mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can then be viewed online or at the Clerk’s Office. “This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind, at no cost to them.” Said County Clerk Kelly Eskew. You can sign up for free at Https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYORA Please note there may be other property owners in the County that share the same name. Related Articles Deed Fraud Alert The Orange County Clerk’s Office is providing a free new tool to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets. With Fraud Alert, you can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a deed or a mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can then be viewed online or at the Clerk’s Office. “This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind, at no cost to them.” Said County Clerk Kelly Eskew. You can sign up for free at Https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=NYORA Please note there may be other property owners in the County that share the same name. ATTN: PHISHING SCAM ALERT Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals ATTN: PHISHING SCAM ALERT Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals Wawayanda Connect - Mobile App - SMS & Voice Notifications Texting Alerts SMS & Voice Notifications *** July 2025 STAR UPDATE *** *** July 2025 STAR UPDATE *** Homeowners will no longer be required to submit an application to the assessor if they had an ownership change or if they aged into the Enhanced STAR exemption. New York State will notify local assessors of Basic STAR recipients who become eligible for Enhanced STAR (rather than requiring seniors to apply to their assessors). Property owners who have a change of ownership will report it to the NYS Tax Department using the Homeowner Benefit Portal at www.tax.ny.gov. If internet access is not available, you may contact NYS at (518) 457-2036. Does New York State Owe you Money? Search the Office of Unclaimed Funds As of May 2026, the NYS Comptroller's Office reported that Orange County has 629,053 accounts with a value of $107,316,163. What Is Unclaimed Property? Unclaimed property is money that’s been lost or forgotten over time, including old bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock certificates, and unused gift cards. After a period of inactivity, lost money is legally considered abandoned property and turned over to the New York State Comptroller’s Office, where there’s no fee or time limit to claim it. Visit the New York State Office of Unclaimed Funds website online. https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds New York State adopted the Transfer on Death Deed A Transfer on Death Deed (TOD) is a legal document that allows a property owner to designate who will inherit their real estate after they die. TODs are a cost-effective way to pass on property because they bypass probate, the process that wills go through. NYS has introduced Section 424 of the New York State Real Property Law. Here are some things to know about TODs: How it works The property owner, also known as the transferor, fills out a TOD form, signs it in front of witnesses, and has a notary public acknowledge the signature. The completed deed is then recorded at the county clerk's office. Who can be a beneficiary A beneficiary can be an individual, an organization, or a charity. If there are multiple beneficiaries, the transferor can indicate how they will take title. What the owner retains The owner retains full control of the property while they're alive. They can sell, mortgage, or revoke the TOD deed at any time. How to record the deed Look up the requirements for recording a deed in Orange County, New York Get the state-specific deed form Decide on a beneficiary Describe the property (schedule A) This can be found on a prior deed Sign the deed - you must have 2 witnesses and sign the deed in front of a Notary Public Record the deed at the Orange County Clerk's Office The Town of Wawayanda cannot answer any legal questions regarding the Transfer of Death Deeds, please contact your Attorney. For deed filing information, please contact the Orange County Clerks Office - Deed Recording 845-294-2690. Comments are closed.