Oakland-Area DA Issues Advisory Against Out-Of-State Operators Running Grant Deed Scams That Use Mailings To Solicit Unwitting Homeowners

In Oakland, California, the Office of the Alameda County District Attorney recently announced:

• The Real Estate Fraud Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is issuing a consumer advisory to Bay Area residents about recent mailings from private companies offering to obtain a copy of grant deeds or property title records for a high fee.
  
  The solicitations offer to obtain a copy of the grant deed for a high fee, which can be up to 20 times more than the actual cost charged by the County Recorder. In Alameda County, a copy of a grant deed can be obtained for as low as $3.50.
  
  Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley noted, “This mailer was sent from outside of California, and attempts to charge high fees for a relatively simple process. The Real Estate Fraud Unit of the Alameda County DA’s Office works to ensure the integrity and lawfulness of all real estate solicitations made to homeowners in our community.”
  
  Consumers are urged to shop wisely before engaging in any real estate related transactions. Homeowners interested in obtaining a copy of the grant deed to their property can go to the Alameda County Recorder’s website to see if they can save money by ordering their own grant deeds at:
  
  Go here for the Alameda County Recorder’s Office.
  

For the Alameda County DA press release, see SCAM ALERT: Homeowners Should Beware Private Companies Offering Grant Deeds for a High Fee.