Scheme charges inflated prices for public documents
Raleigh – April 7, 2008 – Attorney General Roy Cooper today reminded North Carolina homeowners not to fall for a scheme that charges inflated prices for certified copies of property deeds that often are available from their county governments for free or for a small fee.
Cooper’s office first received reports of this scheme in 2007 from local Registers of Deeds and consumers indicating that National Deed Service, Inc of Washington, DC sent thousands of letters to North Carolina homeowners offering to provide them with a certified copy of their property deed for $59 to $89. The Register of Deeds in most counties will provide a copy of these deeds for a fee of less than $10.
“Watch out for companies that want you to pay them for something you can get for little or no money elsewhere,” Cooper warned. “Property deeds are public records you can get from your local Register of Deeds. If you get one of these notices, remember that you don’t need to pay this company for a copy of your deed.”
The Attorney General’s Office recommends that consumers who want copies of deeds to any property they own contact their local Register of Deeds. Most homeowners receive a copy of their deed at closing. Some counties also allow you to view deeds for free via their web site. In many cases, consumers may not need a certified copy of their deed and can instead print a scanned copy from their county’s web site for free.
Consumers who have complaints about National Deed Service or similar businesses can file a complaint with Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division by calling toll free 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by visiting www.ncdoj.gov to download a complaint form.
