When times get tough, some of the underemployed become more creative. Here is another small sting to watch out for from the Title Compliance Board, Department of Records Retrieval. For a mere $79.00, they will send you a certified copy of your deed from the County Recorder’s office. Great. They probably will send it to you, but you can order it for yourself for only $6.00!
Just go to the link: http://www.lavote.net/RECORDER/Document_Recording.cfm for complete instructions. But the real question is, why? Your deed is on record with the County Recorder. If you decide to sell your house, the title company verifies your ownership during the escrow process. You don’t need to show anyone such records. Why else might you be required to prove your ownership? After a fire or some other disaster? Your insurance company already knows you own the property. In the off chance that you don’t have insurance (which is a problem you need to address), your only recourse is a Federal agency and they will verify your ownership. It’s not a bad idea to have the documentation on your property, but you received it when you bought the property. If you can’t find it, you can get a copy from your title company. Ask your Realtor who that was. Or ask me and I can look it up for you.
Asking for a small amount like $79 is the easiest kind of scam to succeed at. They are providing a service, they are just creating a need that isn’t real for a document that is easy and cheap to obtain. It’s not illegal, really, just unnecessary. I’m sure you can find something useful to spend $79 on. Or put it in your piggy bank to add to your down payment fund.
Another Scam Alert!
Previous post: First-ever Realtor Float in the Rose Parade!
Next post: This is the best business model for this economy!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
The scam is on again. I got a letter from the Title Compliance Board on August 9 2009. It was the $139.00, Los Angeles version. They included the “not a government agency” disclaimer at the bottom of the letter.It should have read “A non government ripoff artist”. I am going to call KCBS News, in Los Angeles, to try to get them to alert the public of this scam. I checked with the Los Angeles County Recorders office(562-462-2131) & spoke with a REAL PERSON within just a few minutes. I told them why I was calling & they said quite a few people were coming into the office with the same letter. They informed me if I wanted a copy just send a check, made out to them, with “No more than $10″ written on it. The reason being, it is $6 for the first page & $3 for any additional pages & $10 should cover it. They said they would mail it to me at NO COST!! ZEROBSZONE
You must log in to post a comment.