County residents solicited by expensive deed service

The Jasper County Recorder’s office has received more than a few inquiries in recent weeks from citizens wondering if they’re being tricked into overpaying for their property deeds.

Deputy Leanna Kingery said her office has had close to 10 people come in or call about a letter they received from National Deeds Inc., which offers the same document for a cost of $59.50. A certified copy of a property deed can be purchased from the recorder’s office for $5.

While the letter from National Deeds Inc. states that “many government records are available for free or at a nominal cost from government agencies,” the semi-official looking presentation of the letter has left some Jasper County residents confused.

Rick Mawrence, national director of Operations for National Deeds Inc., said he has heard before that his company is a scam operation.

“Obviously, we’ve heard that, too,” Mawrence said. “I’m not sure what the definition of a scam is. It would cost more using our services than going to the county.

“We provide a service for something you can do on your own, and that’s why we cost a little more money,” he added, comparing his company’s service to that of an accountant, manicurist and lawn mowing service, as well as Blockbuster Video.

Kingery, who said she recalled similar letters being sent out to Jasper County residents a few years ago, stressed that going through the recorder’s office is a more economical option to obtaining a certified copy of a property deed or plain copies.

“We’ve had people come in and present the letter to us,” Kingery said. “We just more or less told them it’s only 50 cents a page if they want to get a (plain) copy from us. If they decided they want a certified copy, it’s $5.

“I don’t know how many people are believing that letter (is from us) and sending money to them.”

Glennys Ward of Newton received a letter from National Deeds Inc. two weeks ago and was one of the people who took her questions to the recorder’s office. What puzzled Ward the most was the timing of the letter, which came shortly after her lawyer had revised documentation of her assets following the death of her husband.