Continuing his efforts to combat consumer fraud, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today expressed his ongoing frustration regarding Norfolk County residents receiving direct-mail solicitations offering them a certified copy of their property deed for an outrageous fee of anywhere from $59.50-$83.00. Providing a certified copy of property deeds is a service provided by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds for a charge of only $1.00 per page plus an additional $1.00 for postage in the case of a request by mail. Average Registry fee for providing a certified copy of a deed is usually $2.00.

A recent example cited by O'Donnell was a deed solicitation received by a Weymouth resident from a private company in California. The solicitation was labeled Recorded Deed Notice and requested the homeowner forward a check to them in the amount of $83.00 for a copy of the homeowner's deed. In this case, the Weymouth resident would have been charged $3.00 by the Registry for providing a mailed copy of the deed, $2.00 if the resident had picked it up at the Registry.

Register O'Donnell stated, "While the practice may be legal, it's certainly not ethical. These direct-mail companies are preying upon the innocent assumptions of Norfolk County residents, many of them first-time homeowners. Consumers are interpreting these notices as a bill, since they have a due date. I urge Norfolk County citizens not to 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 Department immediately at (781) 461-6101 or by email at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Additionally, if you desire a copy of your deed, also contact the Registry's Customer Service Department and we will be glad to provide you with one for a nominal fee of usually $2.00.

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.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Department via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org.