National Deed Service, Inc.

I got a letter from National Deed Service, Inc. Their address is:

3330 Dundee Road STE S-5
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
888-480-1977
www.nationaldeed.com

This is one of the more honest solicitations I've seen in the mail. It at least discloses that the documents might even be free if I just drove to the county myself. The contents of the letter were as follows:

Our records, obtained from public information, show that Property Deed Document #xxxx-xxx recorded Month 00, 0000 indicates your ownership interest in the property located at 000 Street DR.

At the time your purchased your property, a deed was prepared that shows the title was transferred to you. This deed was recorded by the Nowhere County Register.

If you don't already have this important document, you may obtain one now. This document provides evidence that your property was transferred to you.

To obtain a Certified Copy of your Deed, complete the order form below and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope with your payment of $59.50 which includes location, retrieval, postage and handling or fill in the credit card information below and either mail or fax your order to 888-480-1370.

Due to the large number of transactions, this will be your only notice of our service.

All orders will be handled promptly.

National Deed Service, Inc.

National Deed Service, Inc. is not affiliated with any governmental agency.
MANY GOVERNMENT RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE FREE OR AT A NOMINAL COST FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

What I want to know is the compelling reason that would make me want to use their service. I could get a copy of my deed only to find out it's not my house because the mortgage really owns it? Then what? I show it to whom for the purpose of what?

For that matter it's only a copy. I'd fully expect it to be a photocopy certified by nobody other than the National Deed Service.

Moreover, this company is based in a different state than I live in. If I needed a copy of the ownership documents for my home and I were too lazy to get those on my own, I would rather have someone local go get it for me if for no other reason than because I'd be helping enterprising local small businesses. For all I know the National Deed Service is owned by a Chinese company (even though I have to admit that's probably a stretch).

My word of warning is that someone can steal from you if you write a personal check or if you put your credit card information on the bottom. All they need are the routing and account numbers from the bottom of your check to electronically drain your checking account.

With your address and your credit card number, they can buy lots of stuff online and use your legitimate billing address. If you don't really know who the company is or know you can trust the processor that examines your return letter is monitored, then you get what you deserve. For this reason alone, I wouldn't use their service.