Riverside County Warns Of Potential Scam

Jo Anne Shindler opened her mailbox Monday and found a letter that raised red flags.

It was a notice to Riverside County Property owners saying they need to make a copy of their grant deed by the end of May.

The company that put out the letter claims that for $167 they will get you a copy.

“That seemed a little high considering it’s public record and you can go to any public record office and pay their fee and get a copy of it,” said Shindler, of Indio.

The Riverside County Assessors Office will make a copy of your grant deed for an average of $10. You can also order it online or by mail.

The office says they’ve received many calls and complaints.

The letter cites foreclosures and loan modifications as reasons to get a copy.

Escrow agent Cindy Mozingo said most homeowners won’t need it.

“It’s something we hear about all the time. It has a negative connotation for the real estate market. So I think they are preying on people … On the fears people may have,” said Mozingo, with CV Escrow in La Quinta.

Shindler worries the company, Title Compliance Office, is trying to prey on senior citizens in her community.

She made copies of her letter and sent them to her country club’s management hoping they’ll post a warning in this week’s community newsletter.

“But hopefully people are wise enough to realize you don’t need a copy of your grant deed. That the county recorder office has everything,” said Shindler.

The assessors office is in the process of submitting information to Riverside County district attorney’s office to see if offer qualifies as a scam or just a bad deal.

Either way, they want everyone in the county to be wary of the offer.