Scam Alert…Never Pay for a Copy of Your Grant Deed

Westcoe Realtors, Riverside California…As a veteran of over 30 years in the real estate business, it seems like every time there is a massive change in the real estate market (either up or down), the scam artists come out of the woodwork like the insects they are.  In a upturned market, they offer riches beyond your wildest dreams, and in a downturned market, they prey on your fears.  Today, I want to warn you about the latest scam that may be headed your way, and hopefully save you some money in the process.

In a nutshell, NEVER PAY ANYONE FOR A COPY OF THE RECORDED GRANT DEED THAT SHOWS YOU ARE THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF YOUR HOME.  If you can remember that, you will be fine.

In the past week, many of our agents have received what appears to be an official document from the “Title Compliance Office”, whatever that is.  Without boring you with the details, they have notices pasted throughout this document that coerce you into believing that for your own protection in this foreclosed crazed market, “you should have a copy of your Grant Deed.”  Of course, they offer to get ”a certified copy of your Grant Deed” for only $167.  It all looks very official…even down to the “promise of prompt processing if you return said $167 by the requested deadline.”

Please…please…please…Do not send them any money…this is a scam.

Let me count the ways this is totally unnecessary.

1.  Any Realtor can get you a copy of your Grant Deed for free if you simply let us know…or if you are so inclined, you can pay the County Recorder a visit and get a copy for about $5-10.

2.  Having a Grant Deed in your possession will not afford you any greater protection from whatever Bogey-man these letters say is out to get you.  Your Grant Deed is a recorded document, and once it is a matter of public record, it makes no difference if you have a copy in your possession or not.

3.  A “Certified Copy” is about as important as a certified copy of your daily newspaper!  Stamp the word “certified” across the top of any document, and viola, you are in business.  The word “certified” is this case means nothing more than having the word stamped at the top.  You can buy a rubber stamp and use it on any piece of paper in your home and you would have the same impact…nothing.

4.  When you sell your home, you will not even need a copy of your Grant Deed then, as your escrow company will simply call any title insurance company and get a copy from their records. 

In the end, every time you purchase a property (assuming you use a reputable escrow company and title company…which if you have a loan on your property, your lender insisted upon it), the Grant Deed is recorded showing the home has been deeded from the old seller to you.  The only time you would ever feel the need to check on this document is if you feel someone has committed fraud by recording a fake Grant Deed showing you transferred title to someone else…and in most cases, your original title insurance company would get involved to assist you in solving that issue…and this scenario is extremely rare.

Otherwise, simply ignore any request for your money.  Save the $167, and simply throw the letter away.  As a matter of information, our office has already referred this to the Riverside District Attorney’s office. 

In the meantime, if you receive a letter like the one mentioned here, toss it away and rest assured you are fine…and if that doesn’t work for you, call us.  We’ll get you a copy for free…and if you like, we’ll even let you stamp “certified” across the top with your rubber stamp!

Take care, and let us know if there is any question or real estate issue you would like us to address on our blog.