Gallatin County clerk & recorder warns of scam letter

GALLATIN COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – The Gallatin County clerk and recorder warns the public of a scam letter sent to property owners.

Gallatin County property owners are warned to disregard letters they may receive in the mail or via email from companies advising them to buy a copy of the deed to their property and a “property profile” for a cost of $107.25 to $121.50.

Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder Deanna Bryant says she has received several recent reports from constituents about this consumer rip-off.

She says it looks official because it includes public information such as the owner’s name, the property address, tax property I.D. number and assessment data.

Anyone who needs a copy or a certified copy can get it from the county recorder’s office. Bryant says in most instances they will provide it at no cost to the property owner.

The County Recorder’s Office holds all deeds recorded in Gallatin County since 1814. People can access all recordings on the Gallatin County website, under the County Clerk and Recorder drop-down menu, click on “Land Record Portal”.

Bryant says the elderly are often targets of this scam as the letter scares them into paying for something they usually already have or don’t need.

Anyone with questions can contact the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder’s Office at 618-269-3025.