BENTONVILLE -- Brenda DeShields is concerned a "very official" looking notice may confuse some people to pay $83 for a property deed copy.
"They are not from the county," DeShields, Benton County circuit clerk, said of the notices. "They look very official, but I want the public to know that they can come to our office and get copies for a cheaper price."
The county charges 25 cents a page and $5 for certification of a deed.
The Circuit Clerk's Office has received several telephone calls from people asking about the deed notices. All of the calls were from Bella Vista residents, DeShields said.
"This is a private company that is sending these out to individuals all over our county and, matter of fact, all over our state," DeShields said.
The "Recorded Deed Notice" is from Record Transfer Services, a company with Westlake Village, Calif., address.
The notice informs people that they can get a deed copy for $83. It also lists a deadline date and includes a telephone number where people can pay by telephone. The notice does have a disclaimer that says the company is not affiliated with the county recorder and the records are available at the local county office for a nominal fee.
DeShields is concerned the notice looks official, and that people may mail in money without closely reading the notice.
"I don't know if people actually get anything back," DeShields said.
Alice Smith, circuit clerk for Monroe County, also has seen the notices.
"It looks like an official document," Smith said. "I don't know if it is a valid service."
Smith said notices she has seen request $83 for a copy of a deed. One person brought one notice to her office that asked for $300.
"I tell them they can come here and get it for 25 cents and $5 if they want it certified," Smith said. "I've warned people about them being circulated here."
Northwest Arkansas Newspapers called the telephone number listed on the notice and asked to speak with someone with Record Transfer Services. The operator said they were on a conference call, took contact information and said someone would return the call. The call was not returned.
The Better Business Bureau has received 15 complaints about Record Transfer Services in the last three years, according to its website.
One complaint involved a person who received solicitations asking for $83 to obtain a copy of property deeds.
James DePriest, deputy attorney general of public protection for the Arkansas Attorney General's Office, said the office has been aware of the practice for years. The office previously has issued consumer alerts to warn people.
"We have taken the approach to educate consumers so they don't fall for this," DePriest said.
DePriest said he was glad to hear that some people took the notices to their local circuit clerk's office.
DePriest also had one other piece of advice.
"Just don't respond," DePriest said.
NW News on 08/11/2014