New Madrid County recorder warns of deed letter scam

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The warning on the front of the envelope grabs your attention: “$2,000 fine, 5 years imprisonment or both for any person interfering or obstructing with delivery of this letter.”

New Madrid County Recorder Kayla Phillips said when people see the warning they open the envelope. Inside is a letter from a California company with details about the letter recipient’s home. For $123, the company urges the homeowner to obtain from them a “property assessment profile.”

Phillips calls it a scam.

“We have gotten several phone calls about these letters that people are getting. This past week we have had three people call us,” she said.

According to Phillips, her office will provide local landowners with their deeds at no charge. The other information the company offers is public record as well, she said, and can be found on the Internet or is available by calling their public officials.

Phillips urged the public to be on the watch for the letter or similar solicitations.

“If they get something pertaining to their real estate property that they are not sure about or they have a question on whether or not it is real, just call us and we will let them know,” she said. “We are happy to help.”

The telephone number for the New Madrid County Recorder’s office is 573-748-5146 option 6.