Property Owners Beware of Solicitation
Kosciusko County Treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell wants residents to know that, any type of solicitation letters they receive pertaining to paying for property records is only a company’s attempt to make money. Property records are available through county government for free or nominal fees.
On Thursday, a county resident brought a solicitation letter into the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office concerned about her property. “Before people of Kosciusko County are taken advantage of, I would like to share some information,” Mitchell said.
The mailing suggests everyone should have a copy of their deed and property profile. “While it is nice to have a copy of the deed to your property, it is not a necessity since any deed recorded in Kosciusko County is available at any time through the Kosciusko County Recorder’s Office,” said Mitchell.
The company that sent the mailing noted it is willing to provide the information to residents who pay $87 by Aug. 22. Mitchell noted the letter does say that the offer is a solicitation for services and not to be interpreted as a bill due. She added, “It does say in small print at the bottom that the company is not associated with any governmental agency. If further states that you can obtain a copy of your deed or other record of title from the county recorder in the county where your property is located for up to $87.”
Mitchell just wants to make certain that county residents know the service the company is selling can be done by property owners themselves. “An agency does not have to be retained to obtain a copy of your deed,” she explained. “The Kosciusko County Recorder’s Office will provide a copy if requested for a nominal fee of $1 per page.”
Additional information the company is trying to sell in their is a copy of property record cards. Again, Mitchell assures that an agency does not have to be retained to obtain that information. “You can go to the Kosciusko County Assessor’s Office and they will provide you a copy of the property record card free of charge. They will also be glad to go over your assessment if you have questions.”
Property owners can also find a copy of their property record card, as well as other pertinent property information, online at www.kcgov.com. Mitchell noted, “Select Beacon Online Mapping from the left side of the page. You will be directed to a page that requires you to agree to the terms which includes no solicitations from the data provided. There is no charge to use the website and it is available 24/7.”
Once you agree to the terms and select Kosciusko County, you will be able to put in your name, property address, Key Number, ID number or Tax number search. There, anyone can view their property record card, tax status, exemptions and deductions as well as a plat map and aerial map of properties.
“I am glad the lady who received the solicitation letter came into the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office to ask before paying for something that could easily be done with much less cost,” said Mitchell. “The real reason why I felt compelled to say this is to encourage people who receive mail related to their property to feel free to contact county government if you have questions. County employees are here to serve the public. We have many dedicated county employees who take the public service part of their job very seriously.”
