Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh is warning homeowners of a scam in which companies offer copies of property deeds at a cost ten times the amount charged by the county.
Sabaugh said homeowners have been receiving letters from Record Transfer Services or National Record Service, Inc.
Sabaugh said it appears as though it could be an official government agency with an address on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. but it is not.
“In Macomb County, deeds are available on the Internet for $6, in person at my office for $1, and certified for only $1 more,” she said. “No one needs to pay $83 for a copy of their deed. I would rather see people spend the money at a Macomb County business.”
The letter to many Macomb County residents says a U.S. government website “recommends that property owners have an official or certified copy of their deed,” and offers to provide one at a cost of $83,” Sabaugh said.
In smaller print, she said, the letter states the company is “not affiliated with any governmental agency.”
“Many government records are available free or at a nominal cost from government agencies,” Sabaugh said.
The charges are not illegal, she said, but are significantly more than what a person would pay who requests a copy directly from the county register of deeds office.
Macomb County deeds recorded from 1818 to the present are available online at deeds.macombgov.org for $6.
Sabaugh said deeds may also be requested by mail or in person. Requests are processed the same day they are received.
The register of deeds office is open to the public week days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
