Deed Copy Letter Scam: How It Works
(with video below) Beware of the Deed Copy Letter scam happening these days all over the country. Let's look into it.
The day you receive the keys to your new home is one of the most exciting days of a person's life. The thrill of home ownership comes with a hefty price tag though. There are appraisal fees, listing fees, closing costs and other unforeseen expenses that go along with the home-buying process.
The Deed Copy Letter scam seeks to take advantage of new homeowners at a time when they're vulnerable. How does the scam work?
Watch the video below to see in action the Deed Letter Scam, exposed:
The scam begins in the form of a letter received by the victims, advising them they only have days to send in money to obtain a copy of their deed. The money is usually a bit less than $100 and many new homeowners gladly send in the check. Unfortunately, the deed never arrives, and as many find out later, it is not something you need for your records anyway.
The scam works so well because the documentation looks like it comes from an official government agency. What many do not realize is, a copy of your deed is available at your local county recorder's office, and many times they will give you a copy for the price of about $1, and in some counties they charge absolutely nothing for the copy.
Deed Copy Letter Scam: How To Avoid
When buying a home, you are inundated with paperwork. Often, a request for money leads to a hurriedly scrawled check stuck in the mail with no scrutiny. However, you should carefully read every document that arrives in the mail and, regardless of how official it may look, question it. Run it by your realtor; they can advise to the validity of the document and the request for money. Being vigilant will save your money for the inevitable expenses that go hand in hand with the joys of home ownership.
While there are certain circumstances where you need to access the deed to your home, these are rare. All homeowners are given a copy of their deed upon closing the purchase of their home.
Even if you have misplaced this copy, you can obtain a new one by going to your counties records department and requesting a copy. Typically the only charge will be a small copying fee, but in the Internet age you may be able to access a copy online for free.
If you receive a communication such as this and you are concerned that it may be legitimate, contact your local records department to determine the validity of the claims in the letter. Chances are, one short phone call will save you some of your hard-earned cash.
Deed Copy Letter Scam: How To Report
Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
How to protect yourself more:
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