Potential Real Estate Deed Scan Circulating in Amarillo, Texas

The following is information received from Chip Staniswalis at Chicago Title in Amarillo, Texas. I am passing on this information with his written permission.
Best Regards,
Christine

A company named National Deed Service is (via the USPO) advising Amarillo residents to have an official or certified copy of the deed to their house on hand to verify the title to the property was transferred into their name. They will do this for the incredible price of $59.50.

You may remember a similar scam from a couple of years ago by a company who offered to file a homeowner's "Homestead" exemption with the Potter/Randall County Appraisal District for a similar fee. As you know, there is no charge for this homestead service by PRAD.

Anyway, after a property is "closed" with an Amarillo Title company, the deed is sent to the courthouse for recording with instructions to return the original deed to the owner. So, the owner should be in possession of the deed already.

In the event a homeowner needs a copy of the deed it can easily be obtained at the courthouse (by anyone, since it is a public document) for a nominal fee of $1.00 (in either Potter or Randall County). If you want a "certified" copy from the clerk (which is as good as the original), then there is an additional $5.00 charge.

Thought you might be interested in this confidence trick. If you have any questions, please call any Chicago Title office about how we can assist the public in obtaining deed information at little or no cost.

Thanks.

Chip Staniswalis
Chicago Title