Release Date: October 2007
Updated: March 2008

CONSUMER ALERT: FCIC WARNS ABOUT OVERPAYING FOR CERTIFIED DEEDS

Your friends at the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) want to warn you about solicitation letters that are being sent out nationwide by private companies regarding buying certified copies of deeds. The letters refer to information found in FCIC’s “Managing Household Records” 2003 online consumer focus article. The company cites that article as a reason for purchasing a certified deed. FCIC wants to make sure that consumers know it is not necessary to use a private company to obtain a certified copy of the deed to your home. You can obtain one from your local Register of Deeds for free or at a low cost.

A copy of your deed is just one of the important documents that you should keep in an organized records system. Whether they’re kept in a shoe box or scanned into your computer, there should be one place where you and your loved ones can quickly locate all your important documents during an emergency. In addition to your deed, you should also include your birth and marriage certificates, wills, advance directives, titles of cars, and passports. It’s a good idea to store the original papers in a safe deposit box, and keep copies in a secure place at your home.

Get even more information and read, print, or download hundreds of Federal consumers publications for free at www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

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• Please check with Rebecca Fulcher if you plan to use this release after June 15, 2008.
• To receive New for Consumers releases by e-mail, send a request to rebecca.fulcher(at)gsa.gov or call (202) 501-1794.

GSA #2852

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