Kosciusko County Recorder Deb Wulliman reported a business scheme aimed at convincing local property owners to buy unnecessary deed records has targeted Kosciusko County residents.
According to Wulliman, National Deed Service of Northbrook, Ill., is sending letters to area residents urging them to employ National Deed Service to obtain a certified copy of their deed. The letter includes an order form and asks for a payment of $69.50 for one certified copy of a deed and $20 more for a second copy."While it is recommended that you retain a copy of your deed for your records," said Wulliman, "it is not necessary to have a certified copy for your own records. It's just a rip-off."
Wulliman said other counties in Northern Indiana have had trouble with the same letter sent to their residents. She said the scheme isn't illegal, but the documents it offers are available at a much cheaper price through the county recorder's office. The letter sent by National Deed Service includes a notice that "Many government records are available free or at a nominal cost from government agencies."
Wulliman said a county resident brought a copy of one of the letters he had received from National Deed Service into her office Wednesday. She said it was the first one she'd seen in Kosciusko County, and she wants to warn county residents before they get ripped off.
"We don't want people to think that's how much it would be if they came in to get this themselves," Wulliman said.
Deeds can be purchased in the Kosciusko County Recorder's Office for a $1-per-page charge. The charge to certify a copy is $5.
For more information, call the Kosciusko County Recorder's Office, 574-372-2360, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
