Recorder's office asking people to be aware of costly property record solicitations

The Sangamon County Recorder's Office is warning homeowners of costly solicitations from companies attempting to sell readily available information.

Recorder Josh Langfelder said that his office had received phone calls from property owners throughout the county warning about the mailings they had received. In one case, a company called Records Recovery Services based in Naperville provided property information to a homeowner in Thayer, asking for a $96 payment in exchange for a complete property record. A similar document was provided by an East Moline company asking for a $109.50 payment in exchange for records.

In another case, a person received a text message from someone identifying themselves as DKS Homes LLC asking if they could pay cash for a property at 1541 East Mason Street in Springfield. Another property owner was warned they could lose their home warranty if they didn't return a mailed envelope with $199 attached.

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Langfelder said that all of the information being offered by the companies is public and available on property deeds or real estate tax bills.

"Educating the public about the Sangamon County Recorder’s Office and the services we provide are some of the responsibilities of this office," Langfelder said. "People need to be aware that these solicitations come from a third party and are not associated or condoned by this office."

Property owners seeking a copy of their deed from the Recorder's Office can go to sangamoncountyrecorder.com or visit their office on the second floor of the Sangamon County Complex between the hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday to request one. There's a $2 fee for a non-certified copy while a certified form costs $26.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Recorder's office asking people to look out for costly solicitations