New scam targets property owners, county clerk reveals

NEWTON - Residents have a new scam avoid, Sussex County Clerk Erma Gormley said: organizations offering to sell them a certified copy of their property deed. “It has come to my attention that businesses are soliciting Sussex County property owners to purchase a copy of their deed for $69.50,” she said, “when you more than likely already have a copy of your deed.” Gormley advises property owners to store a copy of their deed with their other valuable legal documents. “However, if someone misplaces their deed, they can obtain a certified copy from my office for a fraction of the cost these businesses are charging,” said Gormley. Unlike private businesses, the fees assessed by the Clerk’s Office are state-mandated. Certification costs $5 and there is a $2 charge for each page of the deed. There is no need, advises Gormley, to go through a middleman who will charge exorbitant fees for this service when you can come directly to your county clerk and get the same service for less. Property owners are further advised to be wary of businesses purporting to sell “actual” deeds. Only the County Clerk’s Office records and preserves the actual deeds to any and all property transactions within their county. In Sussex, deeds date back to 1753. Deed records may be viewed and copied n the clerk’s records room, or, in most instances, can be found on the Internet.