"Questionable Business Practice" Fooling Some Valley Residents
By: Kellie Bartoli
Updated: February 21, 2013
Vigo county officials - and the Better Business Bureau - are urging you to keep an eye on your mailbox - and what you to know what to be on the lookout for.
The BBB is calling this a "questionable business practice," and it's something that could cost you.
This is the official-looking letter that's being sent to many Vigo County residents.
It's from a group called the Local Records Office who will send you a copy of your deed...for $89.
"They really don't know what it is," said Vigo County Recorder Nancy Allsup. "They think oh is this going to cost me $89 to get my deed? So they want to bring to our attention and say what is this, what are you sending me?"
The Vigo County Recorders Office has had dozens of questions and complaints, but they are not the ones sending this form out- it's from an Indianapolis address.
"The letter shows an address that is actually not a physical address of an office or anything like that... it's actually a UPS store," said Bill Thomas, President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana.
If you need your deed, the Recorders Office can give you a copy for $1. Getting it certified is just $5 more.
Officials say this letter has been making its rounds for quite a while, but the cost continues to climb - and that might not be the only thing to worry about.
"Providing any additional personal information can lead to further things down the road that can harm you even greater than the $89," said Thomas.
There's no real trend of the homeowners who are being targeted, so if you happen to get one in your mailbox...
"If you see this just throw it in the trashcan," advises Allsup. "It's not from our office."
And speak up - that way the Better Business Bureau can track complaints and get that information out to the public.
"Definitely question the authenticity of that," said Thomas. "Call your local government office, call the BBB, take your own path and make sure that you do not get scammed in the end."
The Vigo County Recorder says you really only need your deed when selling your property, and it's always on file at the office, even if you lose your copy.
The Vigo County Recorders Office is located in the Annex at 199 Oak Street in Terre Haute. The number is (812) 462-3301, or click here for more information.
To contact the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana, click here.
The BBB is calling this a "questionable business practice," and it's something that could cost you.
This is the official-looking letter that's being sent to many Vigo County residents.
It's from a group called the Local Records Office who will send you a copy of your deed...for $89.
"They really don't know what it is," said Vigo County Recorder Nancy Allsup. "They think oh is this going to cost me $89 to get my deed? So they want to bring to our attention and say what is this, what are you sending me?"
The Vigo County Recorders Office has had dozens of questions and complaints, but they are not the ones sending this form out- it's from an Indianapolis address.
"The letter shows an address that is actually not a physical address of an office or anything like that... it's actually a UPS store," said Bill Thomas, President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana.
If you need your deed, the Recorders Office can give you a copy for $1. Getting it certified is just $5 more.
Officials say this letter has been making its rounds for quite a while, but the cost continues to climb - and that might not be the only thing to worry about.
"Providing any additional personal information can lead to further things down the road that can harm you even greater than the $89," said Thomas.
There's no real trend of the homeowners who are being targeted, so if you happen to get one in your mailbox...
"If you see this just throw it in the trashcan," advises Allsup. "It's not from our office."
And speak up - that way the Better Business Bureau can track complaints and get that information out to the public.
"Definitely question the authenticity of that," said Thomas. "Call your local government office, call the BBB, take your own path and make sure that you do not get scammed in the end."
The Vigo County Recorder says you really only need your deed when selling your property, and it's always on file at the office, even if you lose your copy.
The Vigo County Recorders Office is located in the Annex at 199 Oak Street in Terre Haute. The number is (812) 462-3301, or click here for more information.
To contact the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana, click here.
