Scammers are relentless, and it seems more and more intricate scams are devised every minute. Recently, I had the opportunity to start my own law firm. Within three days of registering my LLC, I received a letter from “Business Document Center” offering to send me a Certificate of Good Standing showing that I am authorized to do business in the State of Indiana for the measly sum of $87.50. A quick Google search revealed I could obtain this certificate from the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office for $26.00. In the letter, the sender admits there is no obligation to use this service, and that the same documentation can be obtained from the state directly at a cheaper price.
This reminded me of another scam that comes across my desk with some frequency, where “Local Records Office” will send you a copy of your real estate deed for your records for around $100.00. In many Indiana Counties, the cost to obtain a copy of your deed is less than $5.00. Apparently, enough people fall for these scams that the postage is covered to send out these mailers every time a property is transferred or a business is created.
If you receive a questionable looking document offering to send you a public record for an exorbitant price, think twice. If it looks legitimate, feel free to give me a call to verify before throwing your hard earned money into the trash on scams like these.
This blog is for educational purposes, and is not intended as legal advice. No Attorney-Client Relationship is created hereby, and this information may not be applicable to a particular jurisdiction or situation. While this blog is informational, readers should consult with an attorney before taking any legal action.