Continuing his efforts to combat consumer fraud, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O’Donnell is once again advising county residents to disregard a direct-mail solicitation offering them a certified copy of their property deed for an outrageous fee of anywhere from $59.50-$86.00. 

Register O’Donnell stated, “There is a California company that continues to send direct-mail solicitations to unsuspecting homeowners asking them to send a check for $86.00 in order to receive a copy of their deed. If a consumer knew that the Registry of Deeds would provide them the same certified copy of a property deed for a charge of only $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 for postage, they would never agree to pay such an outrageous fee for service. The average price for a mailed homeowner’s deed by the Registry (usually two pages) is $3.00.”

“These solicitations,” noted O’Donnell, “are labeled Recorded Deed Notice and request that the homeowner forward a check in the amount of $86.00 for a copy of their deed. The Registry has been contacted by many who have received this solicitation. Do not fall for this scam.”

Register O’Donnell concluded, “While the deed direct-mail solicitation may be legal, it’s certainly not ethical. In my judgment, this is a scam being perpetrated against hard working Norfolk County residents, many of whom are first-time homeowners or elderly. Consumers are interpreting these notices as a bill, since they are affixed with a due date. I again urge in the strongest terms that Norfolk County citizens not let themselves fall prey to these types of misleading deed scam advertisements.”

If you receive such a deed solicitation notice, please contact the Registry’s Customer Service Center immediately at (781) 461-6101 or by email at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Additionally, if you desire a copy of your own deed, also contact the Registry’s Customer Service Center and we will be glad to provide you with one for a nominal fee of usually $2.00-$3.00.

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook/com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

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