© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Macomb County first in nation with software to track mortgage fraud

A memorable edition of 60 minutes from 2011 reported that banks across the nation had used forged signatures to process foreclosure documents.  After that, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette launched an investigation and found that more than 1,000 unauthorized and improperly executed documents were filed with county registers of deeds throughout the state. Those documents were prepared by a company named DocX, which was identified in the 60 Minutes program.

Now, after reaching a $2.5 million civil settlement with the parent company of DocX, efforts  against mortgage fraud continue. Earlier this month, Macomb County launched a first-in-the nation high-tech mortgage database--the “Super Index”--to help homeowners and homebuyers fight against this fraud.

Joining us today is the Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh, who leads the development of the system, and Ingham County Register of Deeds Curtis Hertel.

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.