Scam Alert issued today

PRESS RELEASE
February 12, 2008
For Immediate Release

SCAM ALERT

Today, Anne Norlander, Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds, issued a Scam Alert. She received a faxed copy of a letter from the National Deed Service, Inc., 3330 Dundee Road, Suite S-5, Northbrook, Illinois 60062. The letter, addressed to Joseph and Mary L. Hepp of Battle Creek contained their Property Deed Document number and the date it was recorded in the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deed’s office. The letter stated that the U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center website recommends that property owners should have a certified copy of their deed and to obtain a certified copy of their deed they must complete the order form at the bottom of the letter and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope with their payment of “$69.50”!

THIS IS A SCAM! even though there is a disclaimer on the form that states: many government records are available free or at a nominal cost from government agencies.

If Joe and Mary Hepp wanted a copy of their deed from the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds office, it would cost them $1.00 for their one page deed and $1.00 to certify the document. For $2.00 the Hepps would have their certified deed.

Please don’t be misled by this unscrupulous solicitation. Anne Norlander appreciates receiving a copy of this Scam Letter from Joe and Mary Hepp. Because of them, Norlander is alerting the citizens of Calhoun County and hopefully saving them a great deal of money. Please call the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deed’s office in Marshall at (269) 781-0707 for further information.

Anne Norlander
Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds