Scam sells unsuspecting victims a copy of their property deed for $89

Unscrupulous operators hoping to separate honest folks from their hard-earned money are back at it. Beware!

An outfit calling itself County Records Office, LLC – which has no affiliation with Pasco County (or any other government, for that matter) – solicits property owners with a letter promising to deliver a copy of their deed in exchange for $89 – in check or money order.

The form of payment is crucial. Unlike the protections afforded credit card payments, consumers who discover the scam after they’ve issued a check or money order never will see their money returned.

And it is a scam, straight up.

Pasco County Property Deeds are free Public Records

Deeds are among the public records available for free viewing and at-home printing on our website, www.pascoclerk.com. From the home page, choose Online Services, then click Official Records near the bottom of the right-hand column. Fill in the information, perform the I-am-not-a-robot skill, and a link to an image of the deed you seek pops right up.

Developed under former Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil and maintained enthusiastically by successor Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, this is – we cannot say it too often – a free service.

Your no-charge print-at-home copy is exactly the same as the one promised by the unscrupulous solicitors. Also note: Its value is informational only. It cannot be used for legal purposes.

The only time our Office charges for copies of deeds is when a certified copy is required to carry out some legal activity, such as refinancing a mortgage or when the property is sold. The charge then, by statute, is $1 per page.

To be absolutely clear: If you get an alert from County Records Office, LLC, drop the envelope and its contents straight in the recycling bin; their service is not one you need.

Any other questions or concerns about your deed(s)? Do not hesitate to contact the nearest Pasco County Clerk of the Court office.