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January 16, 2009
Deed Scam in Brooklyn?
We just bought a house in Windsor Terrace and received a letter today from NY Certified Deed Services, 754 4th Ave in Brooklyn which states that it can obtain a certified copy of our deed for ONLY $85. Now I believe we could get one ourselves from the the County clerk for a nominal fee. This company seems to have been practicing this scam throughout NY state and elsewhere. Anyone else had a run in with them and should we contact the authorities?
Comments
You paid at closing to receive your deed. Although its not a scam its a waste of money.
Not sure if many of you had heard about this but Title companies are now offering insurance against your loss of title by identity theft. It's a one-time charge at closing.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 16, 2009 10:33 AM
Why don't you scan the letter and post it? I got one myself right after closing, and tossed it as junk mail after I did a little research. It's a ripoff, but I don't think it's illegal. Like paying one of those services to fill out your passport application.
Posted by: Frederick Law Homestead at January 16, 2009 10:37 AM
But if I already have the deed, isn't the assertion that I should "obtain one NOW" false advertising and therefore against the law?
Posted by: nk at January 16, 2009 10:39 AM
If you want to spend your time pursuing that then go right ahead. i get these every few eeeks in the mail. Just toss them.
Focus your efforts on global warming or saving the Brooklyn parrots.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 16, 2009 10:45 AM
I hope no parrots' lives were endangered in yesterday's plane crash in the Hudson! (old Monty Python reference)
Thanks guys.
Posted by: nk at January 16, 2009 10:49 AM
I'm pretty sure that any factual assertions about what you "should" do are just subjective enough to stay legal. If they say you owe them money or that you will loose your home if you don't do this, that is one thing. But saying you might or you could ... those are different.
Posted by: amanda at January 16, 2009 11:12 AM
There is a 4.00 per page fee for obtaining a certified copy. I believe your deed is no more than 4 pages, so there is your math. 16.00 for a cert. copy
You can go to the City Register to get it yourself, not a county clerk.
For regular copy of the recorded deed go to ACRIS and print it for free.
http://a836-acris.nyc.gov/Scripts/DocSearch.dll/ViewImage?Doc_ID=FT_3770007974977
Posted by: karo25 at January 16, 2009 11:27 AM
I don't think it is illegal to do it. They in fact offer you a service. Right?
Posted by: karo25 at January 16, 2009 11:29 AM
We got a copy of our deed from our attorney, the cost of which was included in the fees we paid either to him or to the title company. Sounds like a ripoff to me.
Posted by: bohuma at January 16, 2009 11:40 AM
Yes, for sure. Besides, the title company should provide you with a free copy. SInce you are the owner, don't you have the original deed on hand?
Those are usually forwarded directly to you or your attorney after the filing. If you do not have the original call your attorney to send it to you. It is your property!
Posted by: karo25 at January 16, 2009 11:49 AM
go to www.acris.com and you can get a certified copy of your deed quickly and cheaply.
acris is where all the property records are kept.
Posted by: Ysabelle at January 16, 2009 12:09 PM
It IS a scam, but I don't think you can do anything to legally shut them down.
Posted by: bk14 at January 16, 2009 12:34 PM
Call the County Clerk and ask if they're interested in seeing the letter you received: County Clerk, Kings County, Supreme Court Building, 360 Adams Street,
Room 189, Brooklyn, NY 11201 – (347) 404-9772
Posted by: vinca at January 16, 2009 12:49 PM
It's a not a scam per se, they will give you the deed. It's just charging you for something you can do yourself like changing a tire. Nothing illegal about it.
Posted by: BKed at January 16, 2009 1:32 PM
It may be deceptive advertising, but obviously a lot depends upon context and waht the letter actually says.
Try calling the King's County DA's office or (probably better) the AG's connusmer fraud bureau:
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/consumer_frauds/filing_a_consumer_complaint.html
Posted by: Boerumresident at January 16, 2009 3:33 PM
I got the same letter and was impressed by the boldness of their scam. They very clearly tell you that they are not a gov't agency, that you don't really need the deed, and that they will charge you much more than it would cost at the City Clerk's office, if you wanted to get it for some reason. I don't recall their mentioning that most probably have a copy already, but they could hardly be more upfront. I believe that potential customers for companies like this are born at an approx. rate of 1 per minute.
Posted by: jb312 at January 16, 2009 4:16 PM
Actually, mine wasn't that upfront. They merely emphasized that the property needs to have a certified copy of the deed "NOW".
Posted by: nk at January 16, 2009 4:39 PM
It isn't exactly a scam. They are offering to provide you with something that you a) already have, or if you lost it b) could get yourself cheaply and easily, so essentially the service is worthless. I think I got a letter from the same people, I throw all that stuff out. If there is a self addressed postage paid envelope I seal it and mail the empty envelope back to them the same way I do with credit offers. If you don't mail it they don't have any postage to pay. :)
Posted by: raphael9 at January 16, 2009 6:23 PM
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