County clerk warns of deed scam in Valley Stream

Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell is warning Valley Stream residents about a deed scam in the community in recent weeks. She is cautioning homeowners about mass mailings continually being sent to local communities claiming “The U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center website recommends that property owners should have an official or certified copy of their deed.” These letters recently targeted the Valley Stream area advising homeowners that it is necessary to purchase a certified copy of the deed to their home.

Homeowners should know that all deeds for property located in Nassau County are recorded and maintained at the County Clerk’s office and only the Clerk’s office can issue certified copies of these records, which are legally equivalent to the original. When the original deed is recorded with the Clerk’s office, it is returned directly to the owner or their attorney upon processing. These private companies continue to solicit the purchase of a deed on behalf of the homeowner sometimes for more than 1000 percent above Clerk’s Office fees.

O’Connell, concerned by these deceptive practices, advocated along with county clerks throughout the state for the passage of legislation requiring these solicitations to disclose that certified copies of deeds are available directly from the County Clerk for a nominal fee. However, many homeowners continue to be victimized by these scams.

O’Connell reminds residents it is not necessary to retain a service such as this to get a copy of your deed. Certified copies of deeds can always be obtained from the County Clerk’s Office for $5 to $10. Anyone wishing to request a certified copy of their deed can contact O’Connell’s office at (516) 571-2664 for further information.