Postcard from "County Deed Records" Circulates again in Iowa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POSTCARD FROM “COUNTY DEED RECORDS” CIRCULATES AGAIN IN IOWA
[Forest City, Iowa> On Wednesday, February 28, 2024 the Winnebago County Recorder’s Office assisted a resident with questions regarding a confusing postcard they received, which was reported to local law enforcement. The postcard claimed to be from “County Deed Records/ Home Warranty Division” with inaccurate information about the recipient’s home warranty replacement notice and advising them to call for uninterrupted protection.
The postcard claims, “This is your Warranty Replacement notice advising you to contact our offices, so you do not have a lapse in coverage…” They further request immediate action to contact them immediately or be “left vulnerable to expensive repairs and/or product replacement.” Similar letters and postcards have been found across the country.
Fortunately, in this case, the resident came into the Winnebago County Recorder’s office with questions before taking any action. If you or someone you know has received a postcard and/or letter claiming to be from the County Deed Records/Home Warranty Division, please DO NOT RESPOND to the request in any way.
- Do not pay
- Do not call
- Do not go to the website
- Do not return any mail requests
Cedar County Recorder, Melissa Bahnsen, was also contacted by a concerned Cedar County citizen on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 after they received this postcard. Recorder Bahnsen had this to say about the postcard,
“Thankfully the individual contacted our office to ask questions before taking action. This postcard was NOT sent by County Recorders. We will always do our best to answer your questions, especially when it comes to your safety.”
County Recorders are responsible for the maintenance and management of any official property and real estate documents in the state. The Iowa County Recorders Association was created by Recorders to provide additional resources and governance to each Recorder’s office and supporting staff. Created and maintained by County Recorders and the Electronic Services System, Iowa Land Records is an easy-to-use online database and electronic submission service that allows users to search and submit real estate documents in all of Iowa’s 99 counties.
To find your County Recorder, go to https://iowalandrecords.org/recorder-directory/.
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For more information or questions about this press release, please contact Cedar County Recorder, Melissa Bahnsen, at mbahnsen@cedarcounty.iowa.gov or office staff at 563-886-2230.
