Annually clients email me about solicitations that they receive via email or by mail that are effectively scams you should avoid. I thought I would do a simple public service announcement bringing some awareness to these scams. The list is not one in order of importance but if you see anything close to these reach out to the firm for direction and clarification.
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Deeds
If you are a recent buyer or seller of real estate, public records are available to unsavory people seeking to take advantage of these transactions. A simple item is the solicitation to get a copy of a deed for a nominal fee. Copies of deeds are available without cost and most of the solicitation for a copy of your deeds are scams. Just remember that any unsolicited inquiries about your property are suspect so never accept these as legitimate actions.
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Loan Payments
You have recently bought a home and the lender has transferred servicing of the loan payments to a new service provider. This is an easy scam and can be easy to fall for because transfers to new servicers is a typical post closing activity. The scam usually involves a fake new service provider requesting your loan payment be paid to a scam company. Any notice of a new servicer should be checked with the current servicer’s customer service department. Do not call the new servicer because a sophisticated scammer has all the information from public records to scam you. The best practice is to call the originating lender you closed with and confirm the new servicer. If there is confusion send the payment to the originating lender and that payment will be forwarded to the correct lender.
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Corporate Renewals
If you are a client that has a corporation or multiple corporations remember that this information is also public record. The scam is that a letter is sent asking for renewal money to be sent to a strange address or you will be terminated. Unsuspecting you send money but the renewal is never processed. If the firm is your registered agent we will send you a renewal notice via our letterhead so it is always coming from our office. If you are your own registered agent the State Corporation Commission will send the notice to the address they have on file.
These are just a few scams that occur. Just remember that when a weird or slightly off inquiry comes to you be aware and check with us so we can assist you. Be careful as the holidays approach more brazen scams can occur. Now you know.
Albert R. Hartley